"God sent me there."
These are the words of a homeless man who is being called a hero after coming to the aid of a 6-year-old boy.
The 6-year-old boy's mother, 30-year-old Annie Rivera, is facing child neglect charges, and her son has been placed into the care of the state.
These charges come after a late night encounter that has thrust Arnett Johnson into the spotlight, being hailed as a hero by the community.
Arnett has been sleeping on a bench in the Allapattah neighborhood of Miami, Florida, after being released from prison 6 months ago.
At approximately 11 p.m. on the evening of April 8th, Arnett was sitting on his bench when he noticed something out of place. There was a young boy wandering around, seemingly lost and confused.
Arnett began to scan the area for a parent or guardian connected to the child. However, when he concluded the child was all alone, Arnett decided he needed to intervene.
Arnett approached the young boy and began to gently question him to determine why he was on the streets alone.
When questioned, the child responded, "Mommy drop me off and left me."
Arnett, who has first-hand experience on just how perilous the night-time streets in Miami, can be, decided he needed to contact authorities.
Arnett placed a call to the Miami Police Department and waited with the child until officers arrived on the scene.
Further investigation of the incident would reveal that the child had been missing for over 12 hours. Astonishingly, Annie Rivera had no idea her child was even missing during those 12 hours. This story could have had a much different and tragic ending if Arnett Johnson had not stepped up.
According to reports, Annie Rivera broke down in tears while being confronted about her neglect in a Miami-Dade courtroom on Friday, April, 10th.
She was arraigned on charges of child neglect and had bond set at $ 2,500. She has since posted bond and been released. Her son remains in the custody of the state.
Thank you for stepping up and doing the kind thing, Arnett Johnson.
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