A Rent-a-Center employee is being deemed a hero following the discovery of a young boy living alone. Bryan Keith Allen Jr. survived on milk and maple syrup when his mother passed away in their Buffalo apartment. The boy was discovered when Taijuan Littleton, a Rent-a-Center employee, called to schedule a delivery. He grew concerned when he couldn’t get a mother on the phone. His concern was enough to send him round to the place to investigate.

Bryan Allen is "doing well" after he survived 48 hours, after his mom died. Thought mom was sleeping @news4buffalo pic.twitter.com/UZXUma2c6S

— Marissa Perlman (@MPerlman4) December 14, 2015

According to reports by Crimefeed, when Littleton peered in the window he spotted the body of 43-year-old Shaleena Hamilton. When Littleton convinced the young child to open the door, he told the deliveryman that he “couldn’t wake up his mother.” Littleton took the young boy to wait in his truck while police investigated the scene. According to Neighbours reportedly heard the boy crying and asking his mother to wake up and crying out for food. They did not realise the severity of the situation. Littleton took the young boy to wait in his truck while police investigated the scene. According to Syracuse, the woman died of natural causes. When Police learned of Bryan’s traumatic few days, they rallied together to collect Christmas presents for the child. It started with a red bicycle but as the story spread so too did the donation of gifts.

4-y.o. Bryan Allen, alone in his apt for two days as mother died, about to get Xmas gifts at Buffalo Police HQ pic.twitter.com/DgWtcKZXS0

— Aaron Besecker (@AaronBesecker) December 14, 2015

  “Hopefully, it will make his Christmas a little bit better,” Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda told some family members Monday as the collection of gifts was presented. Cover image via Twitter.