Mother abandoned severely disabled son, 21, in woods for 5 days to see boyfriend

Tribune wire reports

7:24 p.m. EDT, April 11, 2015

Philadelphia

A mother abandoned her 21-year-old quadriplegic son in the woods more than five days ago - so she could go see her boyfriend in Maryland, police said Saturday.

Charges of assault and other charges against her are pending.

The son, who has cerebral palsy and is non-verbal, was found near 59th and Cobbs Creek Parkway on Friday night, lying in leaves and covered with a blanket. A wheelchair and a bible were nearby. He had apparently been in the woods since at least Monday, enduring a week of cold and days of rain.

"This kid is obviously a fighter," said Lt. John Walker, who called the case heartbreaking. He said the investigation would consider the victim's care over several years.

He was taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was hospitalized for treatment of dehydration and a laceration on his back. His condition had stabilized by Saturday, police said.

Police said the young man was first reported missing when he failed to show up at school this week. The school contacted his mother and aunts. The mother said her son was with her in Maryland, according to police.

The mother, whose identity was not immediately released, left Philadelphia by bus on Monday morning, bound for Montgomery County, Md. She was last seen by family members Sunday night.

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Mother abandoned severely disabled son, 21, in woods for 5 days to see boyfriend