Law enforcement officials are investigating after a pair of children was discovered abandoned in a Rankin County neighborhood.
The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies responded to the Castlewoods subdivision on Sunday, around 6:47 p.m., in reference to the children being left without adult supervision near Azalea Court.
Deputies and residents canvassed the neighborhood for several hours searching for the children’s parents, but were unsuccessful in locating them, per officials. The children have since been taken into the custody of the MS Department of Child Protection Services.
Officials described the children as two Black females under the age of 5 years old.
Nearly two hours after authorities notified the media and public that the children had been found abandoned, law enforcement got in contact with the parents and interviewed them. At this time, the Rankin County Youth Court has immediate jurisdiction over this case.
Investigators are continuing to assess this case, and officials note that criminal charges may be filed against the parents.
“Thank you to everyone who helped us search the neighborhood or just shared this story on social media,” Sheriff Bryan Bailey wrote. “Also thank you to the news and media for getting this information out so quickly. Everyone involved helped us reach a resolution to this incident.”