Mom accused of abandoning quadriplegic son hospitalized in Maryland; extradition pending

COBBS CREEK (WPVI) -- Authorities say a woman accused of abandoning her quadriplegic son in the woods for several days has been hospitalized and will be extradited to Philadelphia once she recovers.

Police say 41-year-old Nyia Parler went to see her boyfriend in Maryland after leaving her son in a wooded area in the Cobbs Creek section of Philadelphia.

There has been no word on Parler's condition or why she was hospitalized.

"She was transported Friday from in the Greater Silver Spring area. From that time our investigators have been in contact with Philadelphia Police Department officials and investigators and that will continue until treatment is completed and she is deemed to be released," said a Maryland police official.

Parler will face charges for aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, kidnapping, false imprisonment and related offenses once she returns to Philadelphia.

Police say they don't believe Parler's boyfriend had any involvement.

Detectives served a search warrant at the home of Parler on the 5700 block of Baltimore Monday afternoon.

The search turned up little.

Investigators say the house was well kept and had plenty of food.

Detectives say this is one of the worst cases of neglect that they've ever seen.

"This kid is obviously a fighter. It's just unbelievable how we found him last night. It's just heartbreaking to see how another human, especially a mother, could treat him like that," said Lt. John Walker, Philadelphia Police.

On Friday night, a man walking on a trail made the discovery at 59th Street and Cobbs Creek Parkway in Philadelphia's Cobbs Creek section.

Police say the 21-year-old victim is a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. He's confined to a wheelchair and has no verbal communication skills.

According to authorities, the young man's mother laid him on the ground and left him there for at least a week with only a blanket and a Bible.

"Sometimes around 11:00 a.m., the mother went to visit her boyfriend down in Maryland. We believe she placed the child into the Cobbs Creek park right there in the 1100 block of 59th Street right by the parkway," said Lt. Walker.

Investigators say the special needs man attends The High School of the Future at 42nd Street and Parkside Avenue.

The school became concerned and couldn't reach his mother so they called an aunt.

Once in touch with the mom, authorities say she lied.

"She indicated to both family members and police officers the child was with her down with her boyfriend in Maryland," said Lt. Walker.

Police say the mother lives in the 5700 block of Baltimore Avenue with the victim and a 16-year-old child.

Police say the victim is lucky to be alive.

"He has a cut to his back that they are concerned about because of infection. He's also suffering from dehydration, and some malnutrition issues that they are working on. Also from the weather conditions, his eyes are having some issues and they're having a doctor come in and look at those," said Lt. Walker.

Lt. Walker says the victim is surrounded by loving family members while he remains at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia receiving treatment.

Doctors there are familiar with him and his medical history because he's been treated there since childhood.

The woman's 16-year-old child is also in the care of family.