Kent Police arrested a 42-year-old mother for investigation of criminal mistreatment after a 911 caller reported the woman walking with a young boy, two malnourished dogs and yelling at them.

Officers responded Sunday, Feb. 23 after reports of the woman walking along Central Avenue North yelling and screaming angrily, maybe at the child or possibly at the dogs, according to a Feb. 25 Kent Police Facebook post.

The witness said the woman was heard saying something about wanted to “kill them.” Officers were dispatched and searched the surrounding areas but were not able to locate the woman or her child.

A short time later on the cold and rainy day, additional witnesses called 911 to report that the woman was seen at another location with the child, according to police. She was still yelling. One caller said the woman disappeared behind a building and emerged a short time later without the child but holding his jacket. Additional officers were immediately dispatched to search for them, and they widened the search to businesses and hiding spots near the area.

An officer located the woman, child and dogs in a car parked behind a business, according to police. The car belonged to a possible acquaintance; he was present but did not want them in his car. Officers removed the child, age 6, and said he was completely soaked and shivering. They placed him with a blanket in a heated patrol car with an officer. Officers noted that he seemed significantly underweight for his age.

The woman, who is his mother, said she had been staying with a friend in Seattle, and was kicked out. For reasons not well explained, she said she used the last of her money to take a bus to Kent. She did not have a plan or resources to feed or house the child or the dogs. She reportedly was from Everett.

Through investigation, officers learned additional reasons to fear for the safety of the child and decided to take formal custody, according to police. Two officers bought the boy a meal and transported him to the police station to wait for a state Child Protective Services (CPS) worker.

Officers described the dogs as “emaciated,” and they were also taken into custody and transported to Regional Animal Services of King County in Kent for treatment and care.

The woman will be required to work with a CPS caseworker. Officers contacted a Cares team who responded to the location and began to work on finding resources for the mother.