A 3-year-old was found wandering alone in a Gwinnett County shopping center after his mother went missing, officials say.

Beatriz Espinoza, 25, was last seen with her son on Friday, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Gwinnett County police took a missing persons report Saturday, after her son was found alone. Neighbors told Channel 2 they fear Espinoza may have been kidnapped.

"She was supposed to pick up her eldest son from school, the school bus, and she never showed up," Maria Martinez told Channel 2. “It’s very unusual. She’s never done anything like that.”

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach reports.

The family lives in an apartment complex near the Tucker Road shopping center where the boy was found.

A group of friends and family members were passing out fliers in the area Sunday morning, the news station reported.

In other news:

Don't let pollen ruin your spring!

About the Author

Keep Reading

If the Senate's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes, the 30% federal tax credits offered for clean energy installations — such as these solar panels being installed atop an Ellenwood home in 2022 — would be sunset by the end of 2025. (Jason Getz/AJC 2022)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP