Police charge male with failing to provide the necessaries of life

Lethbridge Police have charged a 23-year-old father in connection with an incident that endangered the life of his two-year-old son. 

On May 27, police responded to a business along the 500 block of 1 Avenue South after security staff intervened to prevent a toddler in an unattended stroller from entering traffic. Security staff reported an extremely intoxicated male was slumped against a pillar nearby when the two-year-old, who was strapped inside a stroller, used his feet to propel himself towards 1 Avenue. There were no other adults present and the male made no attempt to retrieve the child. Security staff proceeded to stop the toddler from entering traffic and contacted police with concerns for his safety.

Upon police arrival, officers spoke to the male who displayed signs of gross intoxication and was unable to care for himself or his young child. Open liquor was subsequently located in a bag attached to the stroller.

The investigation determined the male was bound by conditions prohibiting him from possessing and consuming alcohol. He was arrested without incident at the scene. The child, who was unharmed, was cared for by police until family members arrived to take custody. 

A 23-year-old male, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the child victim, is charged with one count of failing to provide the necessaries of life and four counts of breaching release order conditions. Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, the male was remanded in custody to appear in court today.