COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — A child found alone on a College Park street Monday was reunited with family in less than two hours — thanks to a social media post and a community that was paying attention.
The Prince George’s County Police Department responded to the 6200 block of Westchester Park Drive, located off Kenilworth Avenue near Greenbelt Road, where officers discovered an unaccompanied child.
With no immediate way to identify the family, police took an unusual but effective step.
Police Turned to the Community for Help
At 2:28 p.m., the PGPD posted a photo of the child on X, asking residents to come forward with any information that could help locate the child’s family.
The appeal was simple and direct — but the response was fast.
Residents began sharing the post, and tips started coming in almost immediately.
Family Found in Under 90 Minutes
In just over 90 minutes from the time the post went live, police announced they had located the child’s family.
No further details were released about the family or the circumstances that led to the child being found alone. The investigation remains ongoing.
A Reminder of What Community Can Do
This incident is a reminder of how quickly things can change when a neighborhood comes together.
A single social media post. A community that shared it. A child back with family before the evening was over.
The 6200 block of Westchester Park Drive sits in a residential stretch of College Park — a busy area near Greenbelt Road and Kenilworth Avenue where foot traffic is common throughout the day.
What To Do If You Find an Unaccompanied Child
If you ever come across a child who appears to be lost or alone, Prince George’s County Police ask that you call 911 immediately and stay with the child until officers arrive.
Do not leave the child unattended, and avoid approaching strangers on the child’s behalf. Let trained officers take the lead.
If you see a police appeal for a missing or found child on social media, sharing it with your network — even once — can make all the difference.
Did you see or share the PGPD post that helped bring this child home? Tell us about it in the comments — your small action may have been part of what made this story end well.
