Police: Paralyzed man found abandoned in woods, left by mom

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PHILADELPHIA (WKYW) — Philadelphia Police say a 21-year-old quadriplegic man was found in a wooded area in Cobbs Creek Friday night, abandoned by his own mother.

Forty-one-year-old Nyia Parler is in police custody in Maryland. She is facing charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment of another person, neglect of a care dependent person, unlawful restraint, kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Police Lieutenant John Walker said the 21-year-old man suffers from Cerebral Palsy, and was found near a walking trail Friday evening with a blanket and a Bible. His wheelchair was also nearby. Walker said the victim was left in the woods some time Monday morning, which is when his mother took a bus to Maryland to be with her boyfriend, who was not aware of what happened.

The victim was taken to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he’s listed in stable condition.

Authorities hope to have the mother back in Philadelphia Monday to face charges, but that won’t be the end of the investigation.

“(We’re) looking at the longer term,” Walker said, “which is how this kid was cared for, and what actions were taken and providing of services by different agencies.”

He said the 21-year-old is suffering from dehydration, malnutrition and eye infections from his time in the woods.

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