WEST VALLEY CITY — The mother of a 9-year-old boy who was found biking alone along I-215 has been cited after the incident, and the child will remain in the state’s custody for now.
Sgt. Jason Hauer, West Valley City police, said the 25-year-old woman was charged with a class B misdemeanor and issued a citation for reckless endangerment, but she was not arrested.
The boy was found on I-215 in West Valley City late Friday night. The man who saw the boy took him to a convenience store and called police. The boy could not tell officers his last name or where he lived, so he was placed in the state’s care while the search for his family continued. Authorities said the boy has some sort of speech impediment, which may have prevented him from conveying the information.
The boy’s family was located Saturday after a business owner recognized the boy’s face on the news. The boy’s mother had reported her child missing to the Salt Lake City police that morning.
At a hearing held Tuesday, a judge ordered the boy to stay in the state’s custody for at least another two weeks. His mother did not dispute the judge’s decision to leave the boy in the state’s care.
The mother will be allowed supervised visitation with her son as she undergoes drug screenings and other requirements before she regains custody. She has several other children, who will continue to stay with her.
