Police charge father after toddlers found out in the cold

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Joseph Markey
Joseph Markey

NAUGATUCK — A 26-year-old Naugatuck man was arrested Tuesday morning after his two young children were found outside by themselves during the snowstorm wearing just their pajamas.

Joseph Markey, of 214 North Main St., was charged with two counts of risk of injury to a child after police responded to the scene at 11:30 a.m. for a report of the children unaccompanied outside the multi-family home.

Officer Michael Favale of the Naugatuck Police Department said two neighbors saw the children, who were reportedly “wet and shivering,” standing outside and one of the neighbors brought them in her apartment.

Favale said it’s unclear how long the children were outside. It took officers on the scene 20 to 30 minutes to determine what apartment they came from, he said. When officers found the right apartment, Favale said, the door was slightly opened and it seemed like the officers woke up Markey.

Favale said it appears that Markey was asleep when the children left the apartment. He said it’s unclear whether the door was open or the toddlers opened the door.

The children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation and later released to their mother, Favale said. The incident was reported to the Department of Children and families as well, according to the police report.

Markey was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday and released on a $5,000 surety bond.