The parents of a toddler left by himself at a Mattapan playground Saturday were identified Sunday evening, but the boy remains in state custody as officials investigate why the child was alone and the parents didn’t come forward for nearly 20 hours.
State Department of Children and Families spokeswoman Andrea Grossman said in a statement that the boy is in the agency’s custody while it investigates the case.
At about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, a toddler thought to be about 2 years old was found by himself, barefoot and riding a tricycle near the swing set and ladders of the Ryan Playground on River Street in Mattapan.
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He appeared to be in good health when he was found, police said.
The playground includes an area with dry ground and swing sets, as well as a small water park with sprinklers.
Police said the boy gave his name as “Adriel” and was placed into DCF custody while investigators began searching for his family.
By around 2 p.m. Sunday, no one had come forward to report the boy missing, and Boston police posted the child’s photograph and a plea for the public’s help on the department’s official blog.
Grossman and Boston police did not release further information Sunday on why it took nearly a day for parents to be identified or why family members did not report the boy missing.
Dozens of families with children were at the park Sunday afternoon, under sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s.
Among them was Joanna Shell, who was watching her 3-year-old niece, Angie Lawrence, play on a jungle gym. She said she was incredulous that a child could go missing for nearly an entire day.
“I think it’s really sad,” she said.
Claudine Jones, who was sitting at a park bench under a shade tree, said the park is draw for local children.
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“It’s always crowded. It’s the only thing like it in the neighborhood,” said Jones.
John Hilliard can be reached at john.hilliard@globe.com. Nicole Fleming can be reached atnicole.fleming@globe.com.