Autistic boy, 5, found wandering outside NYC laundromat while mom tied to alleged home invasion
Share and Follow

A 5-year-old autistic boy was discovered alone and without shoes outside a laundromat in Queens, as his mother was in police custody for a home invasion robbery, according to law enforcement sources and police reports on Wednesday.

Leshea Harris, 30, was confronted with numerous charges after she allegedly deserted her children, including the young boy, to participate in a violent robbery in Brooklyn with an accomplice on Monday night, officials said.


The 5-year-old was found outside the business 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The 5-year-old was found outside the business 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. ABC7NY

The non-verbal and barefoot child was noticed outside the establishment at 25-15 Seagirt Blvd. in Far Rockaway by Lidia Rojas, 43, at approximately 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, as per sources.

“I was scared and worried, to see him alone out there without his parents,” Rojas recalled in Spanish on Wednesday. “I asked him, ‘Where are your parents?’ He just looked at me and smiled, and he just kept looking at me. He didn’t speak, didn’t say anything.”

Surveillance footage obtained by The Post showed the tot aimlessly running around near the business without shoes on before he encountered the worker as she was opening the laundromat.

The child only had on a white tank top and tan shorts as the woman ushered him inside the business.

The NYPD issued a plea to the public in search of his parents, leading a family friend to call authorities and direct them to an apartment on Beach Street, where they found another seven children, sources said.

The kids, between the ages of 8 and 11, told authorities they hadn’t seen Harris since the night before, at around 10 p.m. Monday, sources said.

When cops ran the mother’s name, they discovered Harris was a suspect in a home invasion in New Lots that happened at around 9:10 p.m., sources said.

Harris is accused of sneaking into an apartment unit through a window and then letting her alleged accomplice, identified as Amariah George, in through the front door, according to a criminal complaint.

The two alleged robbers then pummeled a woman inside the home as Harris even tried to deploy a Taser against the resident, the complaint states.


The boy is autistic and non-verbal.
The boy is autistic and non-verbal. ABC7NY

The pair then ran off with a bag of clothing that sources estimated was worth about $50.

Sources said Harris was nabbed about an hour later in the area.

Harris and George were slapped with a laundry list of charges tied to the break-in, including first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, third-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, according to Brooklyn prosecutors.

Harris was arraigned and granted supervised release by a judge despite prosecutors seeking bail, according to a spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

She’s also facing four counts of reckless endangerment and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child in Queens, sources said. 

“I have a lot of bad thoughts about what could’ve happened if I wasn’t there at that hour to grab the boy, a little boy who is defenseless,” said Rojas, the laundromat worker who found the boy. “I know he’s going to be okay, but a mother can’t leave a child alone like that. That’s careless.”

Additional reporting by Jorge Fitz-Gibbon, Amanda Woods and Tina Moore

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Best Amazon Prime Big Deal Days deals from home goods to tech devices

Top Deals on Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: From Home Essentials to Tech Gadgets

As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a…
National League Division Series playoff news today: Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers game 3 a must-win for Chicago

Today’s National League Division Series update: Chicago Cubs face a crucial Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

CHICAGO (WLS) — This is it: The Chicago Cubs either beat the…
Kate McCann tells stalking trial of 'final straw' for her family

Kate McCann Testifies About Stalking Incident That Was ‘Last Straw’ for Her Family

A Polish woman, facing accusations of stalking Kate McCann and asserting she…
FAA issues emergency air traffic control alerts nationwide

Nationwide Emergency Alerts Issued by FAA for Air Traffic Control

Air travel across the US faces major disruptions on Wednesday as multiple…
Madrid building collapse leaves four people dead

Four Individuals Killed in Madrid Structure Collapse

Spanish emergency personnel have retrieved the remains of four individuals from the…
Texas National Guard in Chicago area: Trump says Johnson, Pritzker 'should be in jail' for 'failing to protect' ICE officers

Trump Criticizes Chicago Leadership: Claims Johnson and Pritzker Should Face Jail for Failing to Safeguard ICE Officers as Texas National Guard Moves In

CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Chicago Mayor…
'Harry Potter' film will return to theaters for 25th anniversary global run

‘Harry Potter’ Movie Returns to Theaters Worldwide for 25th Anniversary

The original film will get a global theatrical run alongside special edition…
Who is Jonathan Rinderknecht, Palisades Fire suspect accused of sparking deadly blaze?

Who is Jonathan Rinderknecht, Palisades Fire suspect accused of sparking deadly blaze?

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Authorities have arrested 29-year-old…