Mom Abandons Disabled Son in the Woods to Be With Her Boyfriend

A Philadelphia mom is facing charges after she abandoned her son in the woods allegedly just to be with her boyfriend in Maryland.

The Philadelphia police are preparing charges against Nyia Parler, 41, of Baltimore Avenue, West Philadelphia, for abandoning her 21-year-old son who is quadriplegic and has cerebral palsy.

The wheelchair-bound young man, whose first name remained unknown, was found Friday by a passerby in Cobbs Creek Park. According to the police, Parler's son might have spent five days in the park before he was found, the Philadelphia Inquirer said.

The paper said the man was found under a blanket with a Bible on his chest, enduring rain and cold temperature with neither food nor water.

He was taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where he is now being treated for malnutrition and dehydration.

Parler was also admitted to a hospital in Maryland with an undisclosed condition.

"When her treatment is completed, we will take her to court and she can either waive or fight extradition," said Capt. Paul Starks of the Montgomery County police, the report said.

Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker said, "It's just unbelievable how we found him out there. . . . It's absolutely heartbreaking to see another human, especially a mother, can treat someone like that."

Parler was last seen on Easter evening. When her son did not report to his class Monday, the school tried to call Parler.

One of Parler's sisters called the police.

Parler told her sisters and a police officer that her son was with her in Maryland, the police said.

Walker visited the disabled man in the hospital and said that he is in stable condition. He suffered a cut in his back while in the woods. His eyes may have been damaged because of the days he spent in the rain and cold weather, the police officer said.

Parler also has a 16-year-old child who has been staying with an aunt.

Walker said Parler has criminal liability in the case and warrants have been signed for aggravated assault, neglect of a care-dependent person, unlawful restraint, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.