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Toddler Found Wandering In Stranger's Backyard

boy
Courtesy of Phoenix Police Department
This 2-year-old boy is now with Child Protective Services.

Phoenix police have arrested the mother of a 2-year-old boy found wandering in a stranger’s backyard.

Sgt. Trent Crump says the mother left a nearby wedding with the baby after a fight with the boy’s father and told police she had jumped over fences and hidden in yards for hours before apparently passing out.

“They had heard some noises throughout the night thinking it was probably wind-related or a cat or something along those lines, didn’t check it until they woke up and then obviously to their surprise found a, a wet, crying two-year-old in their backyard, who they believe had been there most of the night,” Crump said.

Crump says Melynie Susunkewa has been arrested and charged with child abuse. The 2-year-old, Damien, is with child protective services.

Dennis Lambert was a morning host at KJZZ.