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Boy, 3, in Edmonton found improperly dressed and wandering in cold

Edmonton police say charges are pending against the person who was looking after a three-year-old boy found wondering outside in bone-chilling cold wearing only gym shorts and an upside-down parka.

EDMONTON — Edmonton police say charges are pending against the person who was looking after a three-year-old boy found wondering outside in bone-chilling cold wearing only gym shorts and an upside-down parka.

The barefoot child was discovered Sunday night by an alert neighbour in an apartment complex just northwest of the city’s downtown. The temperature at the time was -23 C and the wind chill made it feel much colder.

Paramedics determined that while the boy was cold, he did not suffer any injuries.

Police say he had dressed himself and gone outside. Officers say they found the boy’s caregiver drunk. The child has been taken into care.

Sgt. Gary Willits said it’s a sad, but all too familiar story.

“This is very common. We are seeing this a lot,” Willits said. “This situation just seems to have brought it to light. We’re seeing this more and more.”

He said just last Saturday in Nisku, a community south of Edmonton, a toddler was found outside wearing only a diaper.