Mount Vernon Missing Child Found Unharmed in The Bronx

Homeless Man Charged with Endangerment 

Mount Vernon, NY --  July 2, 2012  -- A five-year-old Mount Vernon child, the subject of an Amber Alert, was found unharmed in The Bronx. A family acquaintance has been charged with endangering the childs’ welfare. 

Thomas Whaley, age 50, picked up the child from a family member at about 7:30 A.M. on July 1, 2012 under the pretense of taking him to an outing.  When he failed to return the child by 10 pm, police were called.  

After attempts to locate Whaley and the child failed, an Amber Alert was issued.  Whaley was located at a relative’s house in the Bronx at approximately 9 am.  The child was also found at the residence. 

Investigation revealed that Whaley, who is homeless, kept the child outdoors overnight, sleeping in a park.  Whaley has been charged with Unlawful Imprisonment and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, both misdemeanors. 

Whaley has been arrested thirty-five times since 1977 on charges ranging from robbery to trespass.  Twenty-three of the arrests are on felony charges and three of these have resulted in convictions.  Whaley will be arraigned in Mount Vernon City Court Tuesday morning.