Charges have been laid against the parents of five children who were taken into the custody of social services on Thursday.
Police became involved when a five-year-old boy was found walking alone in Mill Woods near Knottwood Road East and 13 Avenue between 3-4 p.m. The children were taken into custody after living conditions at their home were deemed unsuitable by police.
A resident found the child walking alone on the street.
“At the time, the child wasn’t able to provide us with his name or the place where he lived due to his age,” Acting Staff Sgt. Jerrid Maze said.
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The boy was put in the care of the Child at Risk Response Team.
A family member and friend contacted police Friday morning with information that helped identify the boy and find the parents.
“Speaking with the parents we learned that this is pretty much a common place event, where they’re at a park that’s nearby and it isn’t uncommon for them to spend most of the day outside and at the park,” Maze said.
Maze said the parents weren’t aware their child was missing.
“They had the other four kids accounted for but didn’t know this young boy was not at home.”
The boy and his four siblings were placed in the care of social services on Friday morning after police determined the living condition “wasn’t suitable.”
“During our investigation, drugs are an issue at this time,” Maze said.
The five children are between a few months old to 15 years old.
The parents, a 43-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, have each been charged with five counts of cause a child to be in need of intervention and one charge of cause child to be drug endangered.
The names of the parents will not be released to protect the identity of the children.
Officers continue to investigate and Alberta Child and Family Services are involved.
– With files from Kirby Bourne, 630 CHED
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