Homeless Man Rescues Wandering 6-Year-Old Boy in Miami

The boy's mother now faces a child neglect charge after leaving him alone for over 12 hours.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:43am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small, worn toy or personal item, such as a broken doll or a lost shoe, lit by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of abandonment and the gritty realities of child neglect.A discarded toy or personal item found on the streets of Miami serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by vulnerable children left unattended.Today in Miami

A homeless man named Arnett Johnson spotted a 6-year-old boy wandering the streets alone at night in Miami's Allapattah neighborhood. Johnson immediately called the police and stayed with the child until authorities arrived, preventing what could have been a dangerous situation. The boy's mother, 30-year-old Annie Rivera, was later arrested and charged with child neglect after claiming she had no idea her son was missing for over 12 hours.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of community members looking out for vulnerable children, even in difficult circumstances. It also raises concerns about child neglect and the need for better support systems to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children.

The details

Around 11 PM last Wednesday, Arnett Johnson, who has been homeless and sleeping on a bench in Miami's Allapattah neighborhood for six months, spotted the 6-year-old boy wandering the streets alone. Johnson immediately called the police and stayed with the child until authorities arrived. The boy, who has delayed speech, told police that his 'Mommy drop me off and left me.' Investigators later identified the boy's mother as 30-year-old Annie Rivera, who was arrested and charged with child neglect. Rivera claimed she had no idea her son was missing for over 12 hours.

  • Around 11 PM last Wednesday, Johnson spotted the 6-year-old boy wandering the streets.
  • The boy was missing for more than 12 hours before being found by Johnson.

The players

Arnett Johnson

A homeless man who has been sleeping on a bench in Miami's Allapattah neighborhood for six months after serving time in prison. He spotted the 6-year-old boy wandering the streets alone at night and immediately called the police to help.

Annie Rivera

The 30-year-old mother of the 6-year-old boy who was arrested and charged with child neglect after leaving her son alone for over 12 hours.

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What they’re saying

“'God sent me there, so I had to do what God say do,'”

— Arnett Johnson

“'It's dangerous every day out here. Anyone would have done the same thing I did, you know?'”

— Arnett Johnson

What’s next

The judge in Annie Rivera's case will decide on her bond and the future custody of her son, who is currently in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of community members looking out for vulnerable children, even in difficult circumstances. It also raises concerns about child neglect and the need for better support systems to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children.