Spokane Valley Deputy’s Kindness Brings Joy to Troubled Child in Need
A Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputy’s act of compassion and kindness, along with the help of Walmart employees, Multicare Valley Hospital staff, and fellow Deputies, brought some joy to a troubled reported juvenile runaway.
On March 22, 2021, at approximately 8:30 am., Spokane Valley Deputy Skye Ortiz responded to the report of a young boy who was found in the 5000 block of E. Sprague by Walmart employees. The child was said to be 13-years-old. The caller stated the child appeared cold, was shaking, and said he was waiting for his parents, who he said were coming from Seattle to pick him up.
Deputy Ortiz arrived and began to talk with the youth. It was clear the child had been outside for hours and was cold. What wasn’t clear is where the child lived or who he was. Initially, it appeared the child might be a victim of abandonment, but with the information he was providing, computer searches were unsuccessful.
He told Deputy Ortiz he had been living on the streets and his parents lived in Seattle. He missed his birthday and was very cold.
Without knowing the actual circumstance that led up to the child being found by employees at Walmart, Deputy Ortiz merely saw a child in need who was cold, scared, and lacked dry, warm clothing. Therefore, he asked the store employees to pick out some clothes, books, and other items, which he then purchased.
The juvenile was brought to Multicare Valley Hospital to be medically evaluated.
On the way to meet with the youngster, Deputy Ortiz remembered the child stated he missed his birthday, so he stopped and picked up a birthday cake to bring some happiness to the child who was clearly in need of some help.
At the hospital, several other Deputies drove by in their patrol cars with their emergency lights on to show they cared for this young child who looked on from a hospital bed with the aid and support of hospital staff.
As the investigation into this incident continued, Child Protective Services (CPS) arrived to help find the child’s parents or guardian. After some time, it was learned the child had been providing a previous last name. He should have been living at a juvenile home, but he ran away on the evening of March 20, 2021, and was reported as a runaway. It appears he has experienced some mental health and behavioral problems and in need of more long-term help than the Deputies, store employees, and hospital staff could provide that day.
CPS took custody of the juvenile, and the home where he lived was advised he had been located.
