Left in Woods
By RON TODT Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — An arrest warrant has been issued
for the mother of a severely disabled man left in the
woods for several days near a Philadelphia park,
authorities said.
Nyia Parler left her 21-year-old son — who is
quadriplegic and has cerebral palsy — lying in leaves
and covered with a blanket next to a wheelchair and
Bible while she left town, police said. He was found
Friday night near Cobbs Creek Park.
Police believe he was left there between the time he
and his mother were seen together on Easter Sunday
and before his mother boarded a bus Monday for
Maryland to visit her boyfriend, said Lt. John Walker of
the Southwest Detectives division.
Walker said the victim was found was around the
corner from their home and described the scenario
authorities believe to have taken place this way: "She
pushes him about 150 yards from the highway into the
wooded area, takes him out of wheelchair, lays him on
the ground, puts a blanket over him and leaves a Bible
with him, and then just walks away."
During the period he was exposed to the elements, the
young man was "completely defenseless" in an area
with wild animals, with no water and in cold, damp
weather, Walker said.
"It's only by the grace of God that he survived this.
Amazing," he said.
Contacted in Maryland after the young man's school
became concerned about her absence, the victim's
mother told relatives and authorities that he was with
her, Walker said.
"Obviously her statements made during the week were
not truthful," he said. Her boyfriend, however, assumed
other relatives were caring for the young man and "was
in shock when he learned what happened," Walker said.
A 16-year-old son also residing with the family is now
the care of other family relatives, Walker said.
Parler, 41, of Philadelphia, will face charges including
aggravated assault, reckless endangering, neglect of a
care-dependent person, kidnapping, unlawful restraint
and false imprisonment, according to police.
Walker said the son was hospitalized with dehydration,
malnutrition, a deep cut on his back that caused
concern about potential infection and possible eye
injuries, but he appeared to be improving.
"He seemed to be a little happier yesterday," Walker
said. "You could tell he knew his family was around
and felt more comfortable."
A listed number for Parker couldn't be found Sunday
and it wasn't clear whether she had an attorney.
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