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Mom reunited with tot who showed up at nearby house

Photo from Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

The boy's name is believed to be "Marcus," and he told deputies he was staying with his grandfather, who owns a white pickup truck.

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TBO.com

Published: June 29, 2009

Updated: 06/29/2009 01:45 pm

A 2-year-old boy who inexplicably turned up at a Seminole house this morning has been reunited with his mother.

Deputies said Natasha Lee Cooper, 25, woke up and discovered her son Marcus wasn't at home.

When she went outside to look for him, she saw all the news media activity, which led her to 8470 Lantana Drive, where the boy was found this morning.

The family whose doorstep Marcus appeared told Cooper the boy had been transported to the sheriff's office's Child Protective Investigative Division in Largo. The mother was taken to the facility.

Deputies said Cooper and her son, Marcus Alexander Willis, are visiting from Georgia and staying at the boy's grandfather's home a couple of houses from where the boy turned up this morning.

Deputies are still investigating.

David Parrish, 27, told authorities the child had opened the door to his about 8:55 a.m., sheriff's officials said.

The door could only open so far, however, as it was secured with a door chain. Parrish said he saw the child put his arm through the slightly ajar door when it had opened as far as it could.

Parrish allowed the child in and contacted the sheriff's office.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.

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