Charlotte police ask for help identifying unattended 2-year-old found walking on Old Steele Creek Road

Child found walking alone; family later located

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police asked the public for assistance identifying a young child after a citizen found her walking alone in southwest Charlotte on November 21, 2025. Police described the child as an unaccompanied 2-year-old Black girl found around 4:45 p.m. near the 2500 block of Old Steele Creek Road.

Officers said the child’s name was not known at the time of the call for public help and that she was unable to communicate with investigators. Police also released basic identifying details: she had shoulder-length black hair styled in braids and brown eyes, and she was wearing a pink shirt when found.

Police directed anyone who recognized the child or had information about her identity or family to call 911. The incident was logged under report number 20251121164201.

“Detectives are asking anyone who may be related to the child, knows her, or has information about her identity or her family to call 911 immediately.”

Later, police reported the child had been reunited with her family. Authorities did not publicly release further information about how the child became separated from a caregiver, whether any criminal investigation was opened, or whether any charges were being considered.

Similar incidents show how quickly cases can move from identification to reunification

Public requests for help identifying a child can be time-sensitive, particularly when officers do not have an immediate way to confirm who is responsible for the child’s care. In a separate Charlotte incident on April 6, 2025, police said an unaccompanied child was located by a citizen in southeast Charlotte and that the family was located the following morning.

Not all cases involving young children in public spaces are resolved the same way. Another Charlotte case in October 2025 involved a two-year-old found in the early morning hours, prompting a police response that resulted in an arrest and misdemeanor child abuse-related charges against a parent, according to court records referenced in published reporting.

What authorities typically ask residents to do

• Call 911 if a child is found alone or appears unattended, especially near roadways.
• Provide location details, time last seen, and a description of clothing and physical features.
• Avoid sharing identifying images publicly if doing so could compromise a child’s privacy or an active investigation.

The November 21 case ended with the child’s reunification with family, concluding the immediate public safety concern that prompted the request for assistance.