JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson police expressed their concerns for youth in the city following a series of crimes, but one story is gaining a lot of attention.

Two women were arrested and charged with felony child neglect after a five-year-old was found wandering alone in South Jackson on Tuesday, February 6.

Emily Silas, the aunt of the boy, and Tamara Silas, the cousin of the boy, were charged in the case. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said the child’s mother had been hospitalized, and the child was left in the care of the two women.

Wade said the five-year-old appeared incoherent when officers arrived at the location near Shalimar Drive, where the boy was found. He was then taken to a hospital.

Investigators said the two women had other children in their care. Wade said the adults involved must be held responsible for their carelessness.

“It was very disturbing to us that a five-year-old was missing for an entire day, and nobody as a parent, again, bad parenting, reported this child missing, showed any concern about his whereabouts,” he said.

Wade said the police department is working with Child Protective Services (CPS) to make sure the children are properly cared for.