Security authorities in Jeddah have found further information to help find the parents of Ali, a child who has been in the custody of Albir Society in Jeddah for three months. Security forces had earlier found the child wandering in Al-Naseem district in the north of Jeddah. Photos of Ali have been circulating on social networking sites in a bid to reunite him with his parents.

A security source in the Al-Salamah district said police forces were in the process of handing him over to his parents. “We have found a person who knows the parents. They will be summoned to make sure of everybody’s identity and scrutinize evidence that proves that the child is theirs,” said the source.

Walid Bahamdan, the society's secretary, said security patrols brought the child to his institution. The boy has been temporarily admitted to the shelter until his parents are found with the collaboration of the Ministry of Social Affairs in Makkah.

He said Albir Society has extended health and psychological services to 4-year-old Ali.

A citizen recognized him through interactive efforts on social networking sites.

Bahamdan said authorities were adhering to set procedures during the planned handover.

Ali’s photo made the rounds on Twitter.

“The child was found in Al-Naseem District three months ago by security patrols and was entrusted to the custody of the society in compliance with society regulations. Efforts were then made to find his parents,” added Bahamdan.

Information posted on Twitter concerning the child, his whereabouts and contact information with Albir Society led to more than 500,000 re-tweets in a single week.