DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (WCMH) — A missing 1-year-old was found naked and alone in the woods after his father abandoned him, deputies say.
According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon, at about 6:17am, May 10, deputies were called to a forested area near China Hat Road on the report of a missing child.
Deputies say Brandon M. Blouin had told them that he, an 18-year-old female, and their 1-year-old son, Bradley, had been staying in a vehicle in the forest when the female walked away from the vehicle, leaving Blouin and the child alone.
Blouin told deputies he waited for a while for the female to return, but when she didn’t, he took Bradley with him to search for her.
During the search, Blouin set Bradley down in the forest and left him. Blouin is suspected to be under the influence of a controlled substance when he put the child down, according to deputies.
An active search was initiated for Bradley, including personnel on ground, the use of drones and helicopters, as well thermal image sensors.
Then, shortly after noon, a detective assisting with the search found 1-year-old Bradley naked and lying in the dirt about a mile away from the family’s vehicle.
Bradley was treated by medical personnel on scene.
Blouin was arrested and charged with criminal mistreatment, child neglect, endangering the welfare of a minor, and assault.
Deputies continue to investigate.
