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Boy, 4, found half mile from home Boy, 4, found half mile from home
(about 4 hours later)
A four-year-old boy walked half a mile from his Edinburgh home and crossed a busy road while his mother went shopping, a court has heard. A four-year-old boy walked half a mile from his Edinburgh home and crossed a busy road while the woman looking after him went shopping, a court has heard.
The child was spotted by a driver, who saw the boy alone at the side of the 30mph dual carriageway in Edinburgh.The child was spotted by a driver, who saw the boy alone at the side of the 30mph dual carriageway in Edinburgh.
At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, his mother, who cannot be identified, admitted neglecting the boy by leaving him on 4 July without adult supervision. At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Marie Watson, 33, admitted neglecting the boy by leaving him on 4 July without adult supervision.
Sheriff Kenneth Maciver called for background reports before sentencing.Sheriff Kenneth Maciver called for background reports before sentencing.
He said would also decide later whether to refer the case to a childrens' hearing. He was able to take officers back to his home address Fiscal depute Kate MulliganHe said would also decide later whether to refer the case to a childrens' hearing. He was able to take officers back to his home address Fiscal depute Kate Mulligan
The boy's 33-year-old mother was arrested after reaching home 90 minutes after her son was discovered. Watson, who was responsible for the boy at the time, was arrested after reaching home 90 minutes after the boy was discovered.
Fiscal depute Kate Mulligan, prosecuting, said the child was spotted by a couple driving in Silverknowes Road in the city about 1430 BST on 4 July.Fiscal depute Kate Mulligan, prosecuting, said the child was spotted by a couple driving in Silverknowes Road in the city about 1430 BST on 4 July.
"They became concerned when they saw the accused's four-year-old son walking alone on the side of the road," the prosecutor said. "They became concerned when they saw the child walking alone on the side of the road," the prosecutor said.
"They stopped the vehicle and alerted another driver then attempted to speak to (the boy) and ask if he was lost. "They stopped the vehicle and alerted another driver then attempted to speak to the boy and ask if he was lost.
"He continued walking.""He continued walking."
Ms Mulligan said the driver's wife had got out of the car and walked behind the child while they waited for police to arrive.Ms Mulligan said the driver's wife had got out of the car and walked behind the child while they waited for police to arrive.
Slightly agitatedSlightly agitated
"She managed to stop and calm (the child) down as he had become slightly agitated by people asking questions of him." "She managed to stop and calm the child down as he had become slightly agitated by people asking questions of him."
When police arrived, the boy told them he had come from the Muirhouse Park area and said his mother was at work. When police arrived, the boy told them he had come from the Muirhouse Park area.
"He was able to take officers back to his home address," Ms Mulligan said."He was able to take officers back to his home address," Ms Mulligan said.
"In order to get to where he was found, he would have had to cross Muirhouse Parkway."In order to get to where he was found, he would have had to cross Muirhouse Parkway.
"There were a number of vehicles on the parkway at that time," she added."There were a number of vehicles on the parkway at that time," she added.
The child's mother told police she had left her young son in the care of his eight-year-old brother while she went to the shops. Watson told police she had left the boy in the care of his eight-year-old brother while she went to the shops.
The brothers had been out playing with friends but had become separated and the younger child wandered off, she said. She said the brothers had been out playing with friends but had become separated and the younger child wandered off.
The woman is expected to be sentenced next month. Watson is expected to be sentenced next month.