A Lakewood man is facing criminal charges after allegedly leaving his two-year-old son locked alone in a parked car for nearly 25 minutes outside the Lakewood Township Police Department, authorities said.
Simcha Feldman, 34, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child following the July 29 incident, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
At approximately 3:15 p.m., a Lakewood police officer unloading items from his patrol vehicle noticed a small child alone inside a nearby parked vehicle that was locked and not running. The officer used a lock-out tool to open the vehicle and safely remove the child.
The child was evaluated by Lakewood First Aid and then transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, where he was treated and released.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Lakewood Township Police Department revealed that Feldman had left his son unattended in the car for approximately 24 minutes while he was away from the vehicle.
Feldman was taken into custody at the scene without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail. He has since been released after his pretrial hearing.
Key Points
- Simcha Feldman, 34, charged after leaving 2-year-old son locked in vehicle
- Child was rescued by a police officer in the department’s parking lot
- Incident occurred July 29 in Lakewood; child treated and released from hospital