31-year-old mother of 9-year-old nonverbal boy, who was spotted running barefoot wearing only a diaper after she left him alone for nearly a day, was arrested
Florida – In ashocking incident in Florida, a 31-year-old mother, identified as M. Luckett, has been arrested and charged with neglect after her nonverbal 9‑year‑old son was found alone, running barefoot in only a diaper, after being left alone for many hours. The mother now faces one count of child neglect with no great harm, following the alarming discovery and subsequent investigation by law enforcement and child protective services.
On a Saturday morning, just after 8:00 a.m., authorities were called to the neighborhood after a jogger reported seeing a young boy wandering alone near traffic. The boy, believed to be nonverbal and possibly with special needs, was “running barefoot” in only a diaper outside a gated community. The concerned neighbor attempted to engage him but realized he could not respond. When officers arrived, they located the boy and confirmed he was indeed nonverbal. Through investigation, they identified his mother as Luckett. A review of video footage from her Ring doorbell revealed she was last seen departing her home around 9:35 p.m. the previous evening, and she made her last known phone call with her father about 11:00 p.m. that night. She did not return until about 3:00 p.m. the next day, wearing different clothing than was captured on the camera.
Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Children and Families was notified and immediately took custody of the boy. Her father, who had expected the duo to fly from Florida to Virginia for a visit, said their habit was being inseparable—“attached at the hip.” He told police the boy’s disappearance from her care was “extremely abnormal” and feared something disastrous had happened.
Luckett’s recorded account to police was redacted in public reports, so many questions remain unanswered. Luckett was arrested Saturday and booked on the charge of child neglect with no great harm. She posted a $5,000 bond and was released. Her father flew in from Virginia to assume custody of the child. Her arraignment is scheduled for November 19.
Luckett’s case has sparked concern not only because the child is nonverbal and more vulnerable, but also because the timeline and her own claims conflict with the observations of neighbors and video evidence. What emerges is a deeply troubling scenario: a child left unattended for many hours, vulnerable, underprotected, and exposed to risk, and then found in peril without immediate parental oversight. The child welfare system is now involved, and legal proceedings will address whether her neglect crossed the line into grievous harm—or worse.
