Cops: Medford boy found wandering, dad charged

A 4-year-old boy was found wandering outside near his Medford home Thursday, left alone by his father, who told officers he had gone to get his car inspected, Suffolk police said.

A neighbor, Leonard Diveglio, saw the boy as he was about to cross Seymour Lane at 12:35 p.m., police said.

He asked the child where he lived, but the boy did not speak English, police said.

Diveglio then noticed an open door at 78 Seymour Lane, police said, and when he didn't find anyone inside, he called 911.

Sixth Precinct Officer Mike Cafarella entered the home and after an investigation, he asked someone to call the boy's father, Daniel Portillo-Rubi, and have him come home, police said.

Portillo-Rubi returned shortly before 2:10 p.m. and told Cafarella he left his son alone because he had to get his car inspected, police said.

The father was arrested and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

The boy was unharmed, police said, and Child Protective Services, who were called, left the boy with his mother, who lives at the house.