Response ‘overwhelming’ to boy at graveyard

HINCKLEY— An Ohio police chief is hailingwhathe called an“overwhelming” response to the story of a young boy reported left in a cemetery two days before Christmas.

Chief DavidCentner of the Hinckley police department saidonChristmasEvethatthe child, believedtobeabout31/2 years old, was doingwell “in the lovinghome” of aMedina County foster family.

Policewere called shortly after noon Wednesday to Hope Memorial Gardens Cemetery where a witness reported seeing a car speeding awayanda littleboy “running after the car followedby a dog.” Police said the boy told authorities hisnamewas Tony and also told them his parents’ first names.

Centner invited members of thecommunity to dropoff gifts and on Christmas Eve posted a follow-up message thanking everyone “for your kindness, thoughts, prayers and overwhelming love.”

“Our lobby is full fromthe gifts that have been dropped off,” he said in a Facebook post. “I reached out to my friend Santa and tomorrow morningafterhehas finished his deliveries he is going to stop at HPD. We are going to load the sleigh and make one final stop to see a our little friend.”

Centner said the child’s parents had been identified and officers were working with the county children’s services agency but “a lot of questions” remained. He praisedmembersof thecommunityforofferingtotakethe boy in or adopt him.

“All of you have renewed my faith and appreciation for the wonderful community we live in and that surrounds us,” he said. “”All of you are truly the best! God Bless all of you.”