A viral Facebook post claiming a toddler was found wandering alone at night in Hereford or King’s Lynn has been confirmed as a hoax by local police. The post, which included a photo of a bruised child and mentioned a “Deputy Tyler Cooper,” urged users to share it widely to help locate the boy’s family.

The story quickly spread across community groups, sparking concern and sympathy. However, authorities have since debunked the claim.

West Mercia Police publicly stated that no such incident was reported in Hereford and confirmed that no officer named Tyler Cooper is on their force. Similarly, Norfolk Constabulary clarified that the event did not occur in King’s Lynn and pointed out they do not use the title “deputy” in their ranks.

These statements confirm that the story is entirely fabricated.

Police are now warning the public to be cautious when sharing unverified information on social media. Such hoaxes can create unnecessary panic and may even hinder real emergency efforts.

This incident highlights a recurring issue with viral misinformation online—especially when emotional content is involved. Images of injured children and urgent-sounding pleas are often used to manipulate users into spreading false narratives.

Officials urge the public to verify stories with trusted sources before resharing. If in doubt, check with local law enforcement or official news outlets.

While the intention to help is admirable, spreading false claims only adds to confusion and fear in the community.