ICE Officers Find Toddler Alone During Murfreesboro Raid
ICE officers were running a routine enforcement operation in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on July 13, 2026, when they found something they did not expect: a two-year-old boy wandering alone near moving traffic, wearing only a soiled diaper. The child's mother was asleep inside a nearby apartment, unaware he had left. No immigration charges were part of this incident — but the story shows what can happen inside a community during an active ICE operation.
You live in an apartment complex, and one morning ICE officers show up for a routine enforcement operation. What happens next can go in directions no one expects. On July 13, 2026, ICE officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans were conducting routine enforcement in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, when they spotted a toddler — about two years old — wandering alone near a roadway, wearing only a heavily soiled diaper.
Officer Michael Joyce, with the ICE Nashville Fugitive Operations Team, said the boy was standing in the middle of a parking lot when officers arrived. According to ICE, the child had been unsupervised for several hours and nearly was struck by a passing vehicle. Officers blocked traffic to protect the child and called the Murfreesboro Police Department. While waiting for police, they found the child's mother asleep in a nearby apartment with the door open, unaware her son had wandered outside.
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What police and child services did next
The Murfreesboro Police Department took responsibility for the child. The mother told officers this was the first time her son had left the home unsupervised. Police found the boy unharmed and returned him to his mother. At the time ICE released this report, no criminal charges had been filed. The Tennessee Department of Children's Services was notified to monitor the child's welfare going forward.
ERO New Orleans Acting Field Office Director Scott Ladwig said: "Our officers are trained to respond to emergencies and protect the public, no matter the circumstances. Supporting our communities and working alongside local law enforcement is a responsibility we take seriously." The statement was part of an official ICE employee spotlight published August 5, 2026.
What to do if ICE comes to your building
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, even if ICE officers are present in a common area of your building.
- Do not open your door unless ICE presents a judicial warrant — one signed by a judge, not just an ICE administrative warrant. Ask to see it slipped under the door.
- If you have children at home, make a safety plan with a trusted neighbor or family member in case you are detained and cannot return immediately.
- Contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible if you believe you may be a target of an enforcement operation in your area.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Deportation Defense”.
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When ICE conducts enforcement operations in residential areas, families with children face unique risks — not just deportation, but potential involvement of child protective services if a parent is detained and no caregiver is available. Parents in removal proceedings should designate a trusted guardian for their children in writing before any enforcement action occurs. If child services contacts you following an ICE encounter, do not speak with them without first consulting an immigration attorney who can also coordinate with a family law attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE enter my apartment during an enforcement operation?
ICE cannot enter your home without your consent or a judicial warrant — a warrant signed by a judge. An administrative ICE warrant alone does not give officers the right to enter. You can ask to see the warrant slipped under the door before opening it.
What happens to my children if I am detained by ICE?
If you are detained and no caregiver is present, local police or child protective services may become involved. Immigration lawyers strongly recommend that parents in removal proceedings prepare a childcare plan in advance and designate a legal guardian in writing.
Will ICE report me to child services if they see something at my home?
In this Murfreesboro case, ICE called local police, who then notified the Tennessee Department of Children's Services. ICE officers can and do contact local authorities when they observe a child in danger, regardless of the immigration status of the parent.
Do I have to answer ICE officers' questions if they approach me outside my home?
No. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the US. Calmly state that you are exercising your right to remain silent and ask if you are free to go.