The mother of a 4-year-old was arrested Wednesday morning after her child was found wandering the street while her mom slept.
And police said it was another woman who took the child in and kept her safe.
"The good Samaritan took the child to her home and cared for her," DeKalb County police Ms. Mekka Parish said.
Ms. Keyyonia Johnson, 22, was charged with contributing to the deprivation of a minor and her child was placed in the custody of the state, Ms. Parish said.
The investigation began around 6 a.m. when officers responded to 4719 Central Drive after getting a report of a missing child, Ms. Parish said.
The mother told officers she last saw the child around 2 a.m. downstairs before she went upstairs and fell asleep.
Three hours later, her boyfriend returned to the apartment and discovered the front door open. It was then that the mom realized the child was missing.
Officers canvassed area, checking from door to door.
Around 7 a.m. notice was given that a child had been dropped off at the jail and police determined it was the missing 4-year-old, Ms. Parish said.
“The woman who dropped the child off told detectives she was traveling near Central at North Hairston around 5:30 am when she noticed the child walking alone,” Ms. Parish said. “The child approached her car.”
The woman took the child to her home and cared for her while she attempted to find her mother based on information the child provided.
But when the attempts failed, the woman took the child to the jail.
Investigators said the mother and child moved into the apartment about a week prior to child’s disappearance and its believed the child was unfamiliar with the surroundings.
“When she began looking for her mother she did not go upstairs in the apartment, rather she was able to unlock the front door and went outside in an attempt to locate her mother,” Ms. Parish said.
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