Mystery Solved

The mother of a wondering toddler has been located in Petaluma.  But that fact does not bring a happy ending to the story.  The mother may not get her daughter back, according to police.

They arrested 23-year-old Anna Rendon Monday afternoon on child endangerment charges.

Police say the child somehow got a mile and a quarter from her home barefoot before people heard her crying last night at Kentucky and Oak streets in Petaluma around 10:30 p.m.

Rendon  told police she last saw her daughter last night around 8 p.m. when she went to sleep on the couch.  She said she thought other people in the home were looking after her and that she didn't realize she was gone.

Police searched all night and all morning in hopes of locating the child's family.  A cousin saw a media report and called police before 9 a.m.

Police say they located the little girl's mother soon after.  She and her boyfriend were at a home on Mountain Avenue.  Police say they were both sleeping when they arrived at 9:30 a.m.

Petaluma police put every officer available on the street overnight and searched for her parents door to door in the area.  They just didn't fan out far enough to find the home where the child lived.  Police say they were very surprised that a toddler was able to walk that distance.

Due to the child's young age, police didn't immediately know her name.  They have since confirmed it is Joanna.  The toddler is now in protective custody.

The girl is at the Valley of the Moon Children's Home in Santa  Rosa. "She is healthy and in good care," Police Lt. Tim Lyons said.
 

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