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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A woman took swift action to rescue a toddler she discovered wandering near a freeway in southeast Houston on Wednesday afternoon.
Laurie Pena, a mother of six, was en route to work when she and her husband noticed the small child near the Gulf Freeway.
Without hesitation, they made a U-turn to investigate.
They found the toddler on the side street leading into the feeder road, accompanied by another concerned couple.
Pena promptly contacted authorities around 2:05 p.m., hoping they could assist in safely returning the child home.
Houston police officers arrived and retrieved the child on Edgebrook.
The toddler informed authorities that he resided in a nearby apartment complex but was unsure of the specific unit. He mentioned being left at home with his six-year-old brother.
Pena expressed relief that she intervened before a potentially dangerous situation arose.
“That part scares me,” Pena stated. “He could’ve been picked up by just anybody, and you know, something bad could’ve happened to him.”
The Houston Police Department reported that the child’s father arrived, searching for his son.
The child was found to be in good health, and his residence was deemed clean and secure. Child Protective Services (CPS) was contacted for further follow-up.