Toddler almost hit after found walking through traffic, Gastonia police said

Drivers on Belfast Drive in Gastonia saw a frightening sight Thursday: a toddler walking through traffic.

The boy, who has not been identified, was nearly hit by a car. A concerned driver called the police where officers brought him to the station.

In a Facebook post, officials said the child may have special needs and is estimated to be 3- to 4-years-old. The father has since been located, Gastonia police said.

Officers cared for the boy while they tried to locate his family and learned he has a favorite snack: cheese crackers.

Initially unable to find his family, police said the boy was moved into the custody of the Department of Social Services. DSS will now conduct an investigation and determine next steps.

Maveah Griffith

The Charlotte Observer

Maveah Griffith is a rising senior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Pursing a major in multimedia journalism, she graduated high school in 2025 with an associates degree. Griffith interned at WGHP in High Point in the fall and interned with the Triad Business Journal in the spring of 2026, gaining experience in broadcast as well as print journalism. Griffith aspires to be a White House correspondent. She works on the Observer metro news desk this summer.