DCFS investigating mother of little boy found on S. Hermitage - Fox 2 News Headlines

The state Department of Children and Family Services is investigating allegations of neglect against the mother of a young boy found running by himself in the Englewood neighborhood late Monday night.

The boy, believed to be 3 or 4, was running on the sidewalk in the 7200 block of South Hermitage Avenue about 11:23 p.m., according to police. Someone saw the boy and called police, who picked him up and handed him over to DCFS child welfare workers.

On Tuesday morning, police located and are speaking with the boy's mother.

DCFS has had no prior contact with the mother, according to spokesman Jimmie Whitelow, who could not say if there were other children in the home, but said an investigation is pending.

Inadequate supervision was the third leading cause of death in 2012 in cases involving children where abuse and neglect were indicated, Whitelow said.