The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office has released more information about a young child who was found walking alone in Greensboro earlier this month and the Office has now charged two relatives in connection with the incident.

On Friday, August 8, at roughly 7 p.m., sheriff’s deputies were called to the intersection of Sidon Drive and Jonquil Drive in Greensboro in response to reports of a small child walking by herself. Witnesses told deputies that they had seen the girl walking through the Crown Mobile Home Park at 6201 Jonquil Drive in southwest Greensboro.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they found a young female child with no parent or guardian present. The Sheriff’s Office said at that time that the girl appeared to be between 2 and 4 years old. She was about 3 feet tall, weighed 30 or so pounds, and had shoulder-length dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.

The girl was wearing a denim jumpsuit with the word “Love” written across the front in multiple colors. She was barefoot at the time.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the child didn’t speak but seemed to understand Spanish. Deputies remained at the scene as they tried to find the girl’s parents or legal guardians.

 Since no one was located, deputies contacted Guilford County Child Protective Services.

Officials noted at that time that no photograph of the child would be released, however, they did ask for the public’s help.  At that time, the Sheriff’s Office said there was no further information available and asked anyone with knowledge that could help the investigation to call Detective J. Allen at 336-641-2799 or Guilford County Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.

In that initial release, the Sheriff’s Office provided only basic details regarding the child and the spot where she was discovered. It also noted that deputies were handling the case as a serious matter and that Protective Services had become involved to ensure the child’s safety while the investigation proceeded.

Nearly two weeks later, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Sheriff’s Office announced that detectives had obtained arrest warrants for two people: 25-year-old Gabriel Suarez, the child’s uncle, and 34-year-old Natali Suarez, the child’s mother.

Both were charged with misdemeanor child abuse.

The agency said the charges followed the conclusion of the investigation and came after consultation with the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office. Officials didn’t provide additional background on what investigators found in the days after the child was located or on why the specific charges were pursued – but they did confirm that both relatives were charged in connection with the August 8 incident.

According to the update, Gabriel Suarez was arrested with assistance from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken into custody and is being held at the Randolph County Detention Center on a $2,500 secured bond.

His sister, Natali Suarez, turned herself in to the Guilford County Detention Center in Greensboro. She was not held on bond but instead she provided a written promise to appear in court.

The new release didn’t offer additional details about the circumstances of the child being found, her condition when deputies arrived, or her current placement.

The Sheriff’s Office said there was no further information to share at this time in relation to the case.

The Sheriff’s Office hasn’t indicated whether additional charges might be filed or whether the investigation is continuing. The August 20 update stated that the warrants were obtained at the conclusion of the investigation after consultation with prosecutors.

Gabriel Suarez remains in custody in Randolph County.

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