The investigation into how a 10-year-old autistic boy ended up alone on a Portland MAX train is continuing.

Numerous witnesses have come forward, with various versions, related to where and when the child actually boarded the MAX train. Missing Persons Unit detectives are still investigating that aspect and are attempting to follow-up with those witnesses.

Due to the media’s timely broadcasting of this story, numerous family members, neighbors, teachers and families of students the child attends school with in Vancouver, Washington contacted detectives to offer information to help identify the child, as well as to offer insight related to his autism and family situation.

The media coverage was integral to the successful resolution of this case, in identifying the child and allowing Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and Washington Child Protective Services (CPS) to conduct an investigation to determine the best course of action to protect the child.

After the child was placed in protective custody of Oregon DHS, an associate of the child’s mother came forward and helped with information to confirm the child’s name and identity, but the associate did not know of the mother’s whereabouts. Attempts to locate the mother that night were met with negative results.

On Saturday morning, the mother contacted detectives and was advised that the child had been placed with DHS, pending a full investigation.

Training received by Portland Police Bureau officers in 2011, sponsored by the Oregon Autism Society proved very helpful to the officers in contacting the 10-year-old boy to help keep him calm.

The investigation is continuing and no further details can be released at this time.