Toddler Found in Wal-Mart Parking Lot to Be Reunited with Mom

A 2-year-old boy found wandering around Pleasanton's  parking lot early this morning will soon be reunited with his worried mom, according to the Pleasanton Police Department.

A store manager on a break found the child, wearing just a diaper, around 3 a.m., and called police.

Police took the boy into protective custody, said Sgt. Maria Munayer, who described the child as friendly but unable to identify himself or where he lived.

"We couldn't get him to say his name, but he could say he wanted some McDonald's French fries," Munayer said, referring to the fast food store inside the Wal-Mart.

Around 6 a.m. the child's frantic mother called 9-1-1 to report her son was missing, and police put two-and-two together.

The two, who were not identified, live in the  apartment complex, which is across from Wal-Mart on Owens Drive, a street that is normally packed with traffic during the day but quiet overnight.

Police inspected the apartment and said that because it's on the ground floor and ADA compliant, the door handle was more accessible and the deadbolt could be opened by turning the knob.

Apparently the two had just moved there and the mother was in the process of changing the locks, Munayer said.

No charges are being filed and the incident is considered an accident, she said.

"It's important to remember even a 2-year-old can get away," she said. "We are thrilled that he wasn't injured."

The boy was turned over to Child Protective Services, which will interview the mother and unite her with the boy, police said.