Abandoned 14-year-old was living on his own for 6 months, police say – NJ.com

A 14-year-old child was found living on his own in Morris Township after being abandoned by family six months ago, police said.

Police saw the child riding his bike without lights around 4 a.m. on June 11, police said in a statement. When an officer tried to follow him, the child pulled off the road and went into a house, police said.

A resident at the house told police the child lived in the area, but did not have relatives or a legal guardian, police said.

After an investigation, police found that the child came to America in December 2019 and lived with his father until 2020, when his father moved back to Honduras and the child moved in with an uncle, police said.

The child left his uncle’s home in January 2021 and has been living on his own for the past six months, police said.

No one has been charged, police said.

The child was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and is now in the care of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.