Dad Who Prompted Amber Alert Tried to Leave Son at Hospital: Cops

The Massachusetts man who prompted an Amber Alert on Tuesday night was trying to leave his son at Milford Hospital in Connecticut, where he told staff he could not care for the little boy, police said. 

Ryan Woods, the 30-year-old father, picked his 21-month-old son, Thomas, up at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday and was supposed to bring the boy home at 5 p.m., according to police.

When he did not show up, Thomas' mother contacted local police and the alert was issued, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Family members and friends told police that Woods might be suffering from depression. They also said that he left the home without any shoes or winter clothing for the child.

Around 8:15 p.m., staff from Milford Hospital called police about a man trying to leave a young child at the hospital.

Woods told hospital staff that he could not care for the boy and left him with them, police said.

He said he could not afford diapers, and could not afford healthcare, police said.

The boy was not hurt and investigators determined that an Amber Alert had been issued in Massachusetts for the boy and his father.

Thomas is now back with his mother.

Massachusetts police have obtained a warrant charging Woods with reckless endangerment and larceny of a motor vehicle.

He was arraigned in Connecticut as a fugitive from justice. He is being held on $75,000 and his attorney asked for a psychiatric evaluation.

Woods will have to waive extradition or go through the courts here, then the court system in Massachusetts.

The extradition hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15.

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