Naked Toddler Found Wandering City Street

A Good Samaritan is getting the credit for letting New Port Richey Police know about a naked 3-year-old boy who was wandering the area of Hills Drive and Massachusetts Avenue today.

According to a New Port Richey Police Department media release, a 911 call came in from a “Good Samaritan” around 12:40 p.m. today, Sept. 22. A motorist told police the toddler was on the street and that he would stay with the child until they arrived.

Once the child was recovered by police, a search for the child’s home and guardians began. City police worked with Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies to canvass the neighborhood and a K-9 Deputy with a bloodhound was also dispatched to the scene. Around 2 p.m., a resident of a nearby apartment complex recognized the child.

“Officers were able to make contact with the Kelly A. Gibbs in apartment #3 and confirmed that she was the child's mother,” the release said. “The apartment was found to be unkempt with empty alcoholic beverage containers littered about. Ms. Gibbs had not been aware that her child was missing from the apartment until the officers made contact.”

After talking with Gibbs, 41, police made the determination to charge her with felony neglect of a child. While trying to make the arrest, Gibbs pulled away from officers and was subsequently charged with resisting arrest without violence, the release said.

A Child Protection Investigator took custody of the child at the scene.

Gibbs of 6921 Ian Court No. 3 was taken to the Land O’ Lakes Jail for processing. Current booking records were not immediately available, but jail records show that Gibbs was charged with domestic battery in 2010.