Police Identify Boy, 3, Who Was Found at Mall

The identity of a little boy who was apparently abandoned a week ago at a San Bernardino shopping mall has been determined, and now the courts must decide what happens to him next, officials said Friday.

The blond, blue-eyed youngster was identified as Wolfgang Von Nester Jr., who was last in the custody of his father, said Brenda Shaw, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino Police Department.

The 3-year-old boy was identified Thursday by his paternal grandparents, who live in Highland and saw his photo in a television news report, Shaw said. But police have no idea where the boy’s father is--and are not looking for him, she said Friday.

“If he’s located, we’ll listen to his side of the story,” Shaw said. “But for now, it’s up to the courts to decide where Wolfgang will go.”

The boy’s mother lives in Maryland with her parents, but lost custody of her son when the couple separated, Shaw said. “The mother said she hasn’t had contact with the boy’s father in over two years and has no idea where he is,” Shaw said.

Both the youngster’s maternal and paternal grandparents have indicated they would take custody of him. But until the courts resolve the issue, he remains in a temporary foster home, Shaw said.

The boy was discovered unattended June 2 at a department store in the Carousel Mall and turned over to police.