Baltimore woman hid missing boy for months, says she’d do it again

The Baltimore Banner reported that Denise Day, a Baltimore woman, concealed her missing grandnephew, 9-year-old Tristan King, for months after he ran away from a caseworker's car the day he was to enter foster care. The pair treated their homelessness following a house fire as an extended summer vacation while evading authorities.

Police declared Tristan missing, but the child welfare agency, school system, and police officers were criticized for failures in handling his case, according to the Banner's investigation. Governor Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott pledged accountability for the agencies involved.

Day was arrested on abduction charges and spent a month in jail before the case was dropped. Baltimore’s top prosecutor cited the pair’s bond as a reason, noting a conviction could have hindered their reunification.

In interviews, Day described how she and Tristan managed to survive on the streets, with Tristan finding the experience thrilling at first. However, as time passed, his mental health deteriorated, and he expressed fear of separation. Day offered him comfort and false promises of a stable future.

Despite criticism, Day resisted turning Tristan over to the Maryland Department of Human Services, pointing to the agency's prior failure to prevent him from running into traffic. She emphasized the complexity of their situation and her protective instincts.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about child welfare and law enforcement responses in Baltimore, with officials pledging to address systemic issues revealed by Tristan’s story.