Drivers, neighbors stunned to see toddler walking near roadway alone

WAUWATOSA (WITI) -- A toddler wanders into a busy street -- wearing just a diaper and T-shirt, and the child's parents are nowhere to be found!

It happened in late October near 66th and North in Wauwatosa.

A toddler clad in just a diaper and a T-shirt was walking down the sidewalk, headed west around 9:30 in the morning.

According to a police report, the child had gotten out of a nearby apartment -- and witnesses say the toddler was about "to dart into traffic."

Drivers stopped and some ran toward the child. Soon after, the toddler's mother came running -- and police say she was naked.

Behind her, police say, was a man carrying a bottle of vodka, who picked up the toddler and ran.

It's a situation not sitting well with a man who says he once watched over the toddler.

"This is not right. I took care of the child for the last year-and-a-half," David Saurer said.

When police arrived at the apartment, they say the toddler's mother was drunk. Her BAC was .21.

Police say the apartment was cluttered with dishes piled in the sink and garbage was overflowing.

The toddler's mother was taken into custody, and the child was taken by Child Protective Services.

According to the police report, the Bureau of Child Welfare investigated three other incidents involving this mother in the last year. All cases were listed as unfounded.

The woman is not being charged for this incident involving the toddler, but she is in custody for a probation violation.