Atlanta-Area Police Find Caregiver Of Boy Found In Store: Report

ATLANTA, GA — Clayton County police just outside Atlanta have found a caregiver for a child who was found unaccompanied inside a Texaco convenience store about 3 a.m. Thursday, Patch has learned. A store employee said the boy wandered into the store and began eating candy, authorities said. The child, who appears to be about 10 years old, was disheveled and barefoot, Clayton police said.

He had small cuts on his face and body, which prompted officers to become concerned about his well-being even more. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. Or if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

When officers tried to talk to the child to find out who he was and where his guardians were, they discovered that he was only able to say, “juice, chicken and gorilla,” Clayton authorities said. With no missing child reports to go from, officers turned to social media to try to find the boy's family.

Hours later, a caregiver for the boy has stepped forward, according to WAGA-TV. No other information has been released pertaining to the child's family or guardians.

The boy is currently in the custody of the Department of Children and Families. Meanwhile, authorities are canvassing the area in search of clues to the boy's identity and his family.

Anyone that may have information that will help police identify and/or locate the parent/guardian or caregiver for the boy is asked to contact Detective Childs at 678-479-5530.

Image via Clayton County PD / Facebook