A seven-year-old child was returned safely to his family after being located at a Whitby gas station at 3:30 am this morning.
An employee at the Ultramar gas station on Dundas Street West at Jeffery Street in Whitby heard the sounds of a child crying. The employee observed a small, male child near a gas pump wearing only a sweater and shoes. The child was trying to get into a car being fueled and the employee took the child inside the store and called police.
Officers attended and tried to communicate with the child, who was in good health but non-verbal. An officer bought the child some juice and the child was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. A child services agency was contacted and attended the hospital to assist.
At approximately 6:40 am, the mother of the child was located. She was searching the neighbourhood for her son. She advised that the child is on the Autism Spectrum and is non-verbal.
Despite the door being double-locked, the child was able to exit the residence by climbing onto a chair. No charges are anticipated at this time.