Upper Hutt police say the case of the child found wandering on State Highway 2 Sunday could have happened to any parent.
The police say a member of the public found the three-year-old boy wandering on the intersection of Ferguson Drive and Main Rd North at Maoribank about 6.30am on Sunday, and brought him into the station.
Sergeant Gordon Russell says the boy had been staying with a family member and had woken up early and gone out for a walk, ending up at traffic lights.
"Thankfully, a prison officer on his way to work found him", he said.
The blonde-haired boy, found wearing pyjamas and gumboots, had been unable to give his name or show police where he lived.
Sergeant Russell says the family noticed the boy missing and went looking for him, before alerting the police about 9am.
He says the boy is safe and secure with his very relieved parents.
