LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff’s Office has located the mother and grandmother of a young girl who was found alone Tuesday morning in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Lauderdale Lakes, authorities confirmed.
According to BSO spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis, the toddler was found shortly before 3 a.m. at the Pacific Point Place complex at 3700 Pacific Point Place.
Security guard Milot Bastian told Local 10 News reporter Saira Anwer that he was doing his nightly rounds at the complex when he saw the toddler wandering alone.
A father to a little girl himself, he said he was bothered to see the child unsupervised.
“I ended up calling the police -- the proper authorities,” he said.
Authorities believe the girl is between the ages of 1 and 2.
She was wearing a pink shirt, a diaper and no shoes when she was found.
St. Louis said the girl was examined by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue paramedics as a precaution, but she appears to be in good health.
BSO’s Child Protective Investigations Section was notified about the incident and took custody of the girl as authorities were searching for her parents or guardian.
Deputies searched throughout the large complex and surrounding areas for about four hours before finally locating the girl’s grandmother. The girl’s mother arrived at the complex a short time later and both were questioned by authorities.
Neighbors said the toddler was staying with her grandmother. While authorities haven’t confirmed that, they say someone in the home forgot to lock the door and that’s how the child got out.
The security guard told Anwer he’s thankful he found her and that nothing bad happened to her.
“My whole time working here, never seen a baby wandering the parking lot,” Bastian said. “I was happy paramedics came to check and assist the baby.”