Metropolis Council president requires investigation after toddler spends evening at Mass. and Cass

Native Information

The kid was discovered to be in good well being, however police filed a report with the Division of Kids and Households.

Boston Metropolis Council President Ed Flynn is asking for officers to research after it was discovered {that a} 2-year-old spent an evening close to Mass. and Cass, the place prevalent drug use and different prison exercise might endanger a toddler. 

Flynn said in a social media put up that he requested that the Boston Public Well being Fee open an investigation into the matter. The scenario at Mass. and Cass, the place crises of psychological well being, substance abuse, and homelessness overlap, is a “public well being disaster,” he stated. 

Boston cops responded to 115 Southampton St. final Friday at round 8:15 a.m., the place they met with a Boston Hearth Division lieutenant. An outreach employee had knowledgeable the lieutenant that there was “a feminine with a child on Southampton Road,” in response to the report. 

“Southampton Road and its surrounding areas are recognized for the avid use of medicine, unlawful drug gross sales, human trafficking and violence,” police famous of their report. 

Officers discovered the lady and her son on the tackle they responded to. When requested why she was within the space, the lady stated that her automotive was towed the evening earlier than whereas it was parked at a McDonald’s on Massachusetts Avenue. 

Police had been known as to that lot simply after 9:30 p.m. the evening earlier than, in response to a separate report. A automotive had been parked within the lot for an prolonged time frame. They discovered the lady in query within the automotive, asleep. She advised police that she delivers meals through the evening and was “extraordinarily drained,” inflicting her to go to sleep. Her son was additionally within the automotive, in response to police. Officers discovered that the car’s registration was expired, and it was towed. 

On Friday morning, the lady advised officers that she spent many of the evening afterward at Boston Medical Middle together with her son, attempting to remain heat and cost her cellphone. She stated she left round 6:30 a.m. to get “dosed” on the Boston Complete Therapy Middle, a methadone clinic. 

Safety officers advised police that the lady was seen Thursday evening on Atkinson Road pushing a stroller with a younger youngster in it. Employees with BPHC confirmed to police that the lady was seen at a fuel station round 7:30 a.m. Friday “nodding off” close to a fuel tank with a toddler current, in response to the report. 

On Friday morning, the kid was discovered to solely be carrying a single layer of clothes, regardless of temperatures between 40 and 45 levels. The hearth division lieutenant offered a blanket to maintain the kid heat. Boston EMS arrived to guage the kid, who was discovered to be in good well being, in response to the report. Boston EMS gave the mom and youngster a courtesy trip to the remedy middle. 

The hearth division lieutenant additionally advised police that morning that the mom and youngster had been within the firm of a person who was “below the affect of an unknown substance.” The lady advised authorities that the person is the kid’s father. Police discovered that the person had two lively warrants out for his arrest on prices of driving below the affect and for drug possession. He was discovered and arrested later Friday morning. 

At about 10:45 a.m., police had been knowledgeable that the lady was nonetheless within the space, on Topeka Road. Officers organized for an Uber to choose the lady and youngster up and convey them to her house tackle. When police spoke together with her once more, they discovered the kid “sleeping peacefully” in his stroller. The lady declined the Uber trip and “turned uncooperative.” She stated {that a} pal was going to choose them up. 

Police filed a 51A report with the Division of Kids and Households. These studies are filed by professionals who suspect a toddler is being abused or uncared for. 

The scenario at Mass. and Cass has vexed metropolis leaders for years, and earlier this summer time Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stated public security issues had spiked there. She launched a plan in August to clear short-term constructions and tents from Atkinson Road with the purpose of creating it a purposeful roadway once more. 

That plan was the topic of a Metropolis Council working session that lasted greater than 7 hours Monday. Councilors are anticipated to take up the ordinance throughout their assembly Wednesday.  

“The scenario at Atkinson Road and Mass and Cass has already reached a stage the place dramatic intervention is significant. [BPHC] should declare this disaster a public well being emergency and these tents should come down instantly.” Flynn stated in a social media post Sunday.