NY Man Leaves Kids Unattended In Car While Working In Darien: PD

DARIEN, CT — Three children ages eight, four and four were left unattended in a running car at a home on Kensett Lane in Darien on July 23, which led to the arrest of their father who was working at the residence, according to Darien police.

William Odane, 33, of Mount Vernon, NY, was charged with leaving children unsupervised after police were called to the scene at about 12:45 p.m. on a report that the children had been left in the idling vehicle for more than two hours.

"Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle and made contact with the three children, ages eight, four and four," said Darien Police Detective James Palmieri in a statement. "The children told the officers that their father was working in the area. The children indicated they were okay and had food and water in the vehicle, and that the air conditioner was on. Approximately 15 minutes later the children’s father, identified as William Odane, approached the vehicle. Odane indicated he was working in nearby residences and that due to childcare issues, he brought his children to work with him."

Odane told the officer that "he could see the children through a residence window and checked on them every 30 minutes," but a witness contradicted that statement by telling the officers that she hadn’t seen an adult check on the children in more than two hours.

Police issued Odane with a misdemeanor summons and released him on a promise to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 5.