Solon, OH – A 28-year-old father is facing child endangerment charges after allegedly leaving his infant alone in a parked car. Dazshawn Richardson was shopping at an Aldi grocery store while his one-year-old child was left unattended in a vehicle.
The incident occurred in the parking lot on Friday at around 3 p.m., when a bystander reported a baby crying inside a locked car. Officers from the Solon Police Department responded and located the child in a car seat in the rear of a black Mercedes.
Upon arrival, police used a lock-out tool to gain entry to the vehicle and called for emergency medical personnel to assess the child. As medics approached, Richardson exited the store and identified himself as the child’s father.
After medical evaluation, the child was returned to Richardson’s care. He received a citation for child endangerment for his actions.
Body camera footage captures officers engaging with a female witness who had been waiting by the car, expressing concern for the baby. The witness indicated the child had been crying for an extended period.
Police observed that the child appeared cold and was shaking due to the temperature being around 40 degrees outdoors. Officers noted the vehicle was not running, and the heater was not on.
Richardson reportedly told officers he did not have change for a grocery cart and could not carry his child and the groceries at the same time. He acknowledged that his actions were reckless and acknowledged the risk to his child’s safety.
Responding authorities estimated the child was alone in the car for at least 15 minutes. As discussions turned to the involvement of Child Protective Services, Richardson was allowed to accompany his son in an ambulance, where he was seen crying.
Details on Richardson’s court appearance regarding the child endangerment charge have not been released.
