Toddler found wandering alone in SE Houston McDonald's drive-thru

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- CPS investigators now say a toddler found alone in a southeast Houston McDonalds parking lot overnight had wandered nearly a half a mile from where he had been staying.

The two-year-old was spotted by a bystander outside the drive-through at the McDonald's near I-45 and Woodridge at about 4:45am.

The little boy was barefoot and wearing only his pajamas. The McDonald's manager called police when he couldn't find the boy's parents.

Police couldn't locate the child's family either, so they took the two-year-old to Child Protective Services.

"He's perfectly fine, he's in great health," said Taje Patel with CPS. "He was taken to the office, being looked over by caseworkers, had breakfast, got a bath."

CPS says the boy, who was staying with a grandparent, opened the door while everyone was sleeping and walked out. It's not clear how long he had been gone or where else he might have been.

"It's the middle of the night, the kid obviously woke up, saw an opportunity to make a break for it, have his own little adventure. It's always a good idea to double check your locks before going to bed," Patel said.

CPS is interviewing the boy's mother. Case workers plan to visit the family's home.

"It's not something that's unusual. It could happen to anyone," Patel said. "You take all the proper precautions but you never know."

Houston police says right now no charges have been filed against the child's parents. Investigators are waiting to hear from CPS before moving forward.

McDonald's corporate released this statement to abc13:

"Early this morning our manager saw the child near the Drive-Thru and when they realized no parent/guardian was nearby, they brought the child inside and called the police," stated Keith Sizemore, local owner. "We are cooperating with local law enforcement as this remains an open investigation and are glad the child is safe."