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Was Child Found Near Cook County Forest Abandoned? Father Arrested In Another State

By Toni Matthews
Published on: 00:37 PST, Apr 9, 2015

A 3-year-old child named Aliya found herself in a terrifying situation Tuesday evening. She was standing near a busy intersection not far from the Allison Woods Forest Preserves in Cook County, Ill. Multiple motorists contacted 911 when they spotted the child, and a few concerned citizens pulled over to check on her.

When asked about herself, the preschooler could only give her first name. She didn’t know her last name and couldn’t identify her parents. The location was unfamiliar, and she was very much alone and scared.

Cara Smith, spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said that the worried bystanders “stayed with her until forest preserve police came.” A short while later Cook County police officers arrived on the scene.

“[The child] was far away from any place she was familiar with.”

Aliya was taken to a nearby hospital where she was found to be in good health. Cook County law enforcement officials sent out a media alert; extended family members contacted law enforcement officials immediately. The child is currently in the care of relatives.

This is a less than happy ending for the young child, whose explanation to police suggested that her parents left her behind entirely on purpose. Not surprisingly, authorities launched a criminal probe almost immediately.

“It appears she was intentionally left, and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding that.”

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has opened a separate investigation. At the center is the girl’s father, the man who police believe to be directly responsible for Aliya’s plight. Spokesman Andrew Flach said the department was looking into the situation, checking for any history of neglect. Spokeswoman Veronica Resa admitted on Wednesday that the organization hasn’t had any prior contact with the family in question.

Aliya will remain away from her parents’ custody for the time being. Her father was taken into police custody in a separate state. Smith would not comment on the circumstances of his arrest or his previous criminal history.

According to the Sun Times Aliya was found wandering near Milwaukee Avenue and Palatine Road at around 6:30 p.m. by a passerby. The amount of time she spent alone near the woods is unknown, but police believe the child stood there for hours after her parents left her.

Even though the child is safe now, it will no doubt be difficult for loving family members to explain to little Aliya why she came to be alone and frightened near a forest in Cook County in the first place.

[Image Credit: Fox 32/Lotus News]

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