On Oct. 20, around 12:53 a.m. Picayune Police Department officers were dispatched to 96 Campers Cove in reference to a child found alone outside.

A neighbor found a 2-year-old boy between the two residences of 100 and 98 Campers Cove, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

The complainant stated that around 12:30 a.m. she was taking her dog outside when she saw the child, wearing only a diaper, Magri said.

The complainant said she drove around the neighborhood in an attempt to find the boy’s parents before calling the police, Magri said.

Upon arrival, officers began a door-to-door search for the child’s family while emergency services transported the boy to the hospital. Department of Human Services representatives were also called, Magri said.

Officers located the boy’s mother, Gloria Lynn Sampson, 26, of 48 Easy Street, at her residence, Magri said.

The mother told the officer she had fallen asleep and was unaware the child had been missing. She said the boy must have opened the door and exited the house, Magri said.

When officers entered the home, they observed Sampson’s two other children sleeping on the floor without beds, Magri said.

The family was living in a small pull-behind camper in poor shape with old food, dirty clothes and garbage strewn throughout the camper, Magri said.

Sampson was arrested for child neglect and the two children were left in the custody of her sister, and later relinquished to their father, Richard Sampson II, Magri said.

The 2-year-old boy was taken to Highland Community Hospital where he was released to his father, Magri said.

DHS opened an investigation into the case and the conditions of the home, Magri said.

Sampson was released on a $1,000 bond, Magri said.