Police: Mom abandoned quadriplegic son in woods for days

A woman abandoned her quadriplegic son in the woods for several days to go visit her boyfriend in Maryland, Philadelphia police said.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 41-year-old Nyia Parker, the victim's mother.

She faces a number of charges including aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and related offenses.

Detectives believe 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," Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker said.

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 said the 21-year-old victim is a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. He needs 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.

"Sometime around 11 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," Walker said.

Investigators said 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," Walker said.

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

Neighbors, who didn't know them, were appalled.

"Only a monster - that's your blood, that's your son, you gave birth to him," Keyneah Lane said.

Police said the child 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," Walker said.

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

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

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