Photo Credit: LAPD
Police say a 3-year-old boy found wandering alone in North Hills on Monday has been claimed by family members.
Police discovered the 3-year-old at some loading docks near a supermarket in the area of Van Nuys Boulevard and Woodman Avenue. Detectives were able to track down the boy's cousin who put them in touch with the child's father.
Detectives say there was 'some kind of confusion' between the child's father and uncle which led to the child being left alone and wandering off. The father said the uncle would be taking the boy to the doctor on Monday, but the uncle slept in and didn't realize the child was still at home when he woke up.
The Los Angeles Department of Child and Family services will conduct an independent investigation before the 3-year-old is released back into the father's custody.
Detectives say the father is unlikely to face charges.