Toddler, Dog Abandoned In Ohio Cemetery Just Before Christmas

HINCKLEY, OH — A northeast Ohio community has joined in an effort to brighten the holidays for a young boy who was abandoned in a cemetery just before Christmas. Police in Hinckley continue to investigate what led to the toddler and his dog being left there alone.

Tony, who police in Hinckley said is 3 years old, is now in the care of his aunt and uncle after his family was identified, according to an update from FOX 8 News Cleveland.

A witness told police Dec. 23 the young boy and a dog were running after a car that was driving away from the Hope Memorial Gardens cemetery on Route 303 in Hinckley, the news station reported.

After his picture was shared by local media outlets, Tony's parents were identified, and the boy was reported to be doing well in foster care at the time.

Hinckley Police Chief David Centner said, in a statement on Facebook, the boy's father has been "very cooperative" in an investigation by police and Medina County Job and Family Services.

FOX 8 reported earlier that the father said the boy was in the custody of his mother when he was left in the cemetery two days before Christmas. No criminal charges had been filed as of Wednesday.

Tony's father helped police track down the boy's dog, which was still running around the cemetery, FOX 8 reported.

Soon after, the local police station's lobby was filled with Christmas presents for young Tony, WKYC and others reported.

"I would like to thank everyone for their kindness in wanting to buy Christmas presents for Tony, take him in and adopt him," Centner said. "You all are amazing people and why we have such a great community here in Hinckley, all of Medina County and beyond."