BEACHWOOD, Ohio – Beachwood police arrested a man for leaving his child in a vehicle while shopping.
Curtis Thomas, 22, of Twinsburg, is accused of leaving his two-year-old daughter in a car on April 18 at Beachwood Place Mall.
According to police reports, mall security spotted the toddler and waited 10 minutes before Thomas returned to his vehicle. Police weren’t exactly sure how long she’d be in there.
“I’m a grandparent, had a couple of kids and wouldn’t’ even think of going anywhere without the kids,” said Chuck Benak of Euclid. “Somebody could grab them kids and be off with them. You’d never see them again. Got to give credit for mall security for spotting that girl, though.”
Thomas is charged with child endangering, which is a first-degree misdemeanor. If convicted of the crime, he could face up to six months in jail.
”Well, I’m still a believer in capital punishment,” said Marc Lewis of North Lawrence. “I think we need to lock him in a car in 200 degree weather and see how he likes it.”
Thomas is set for arraignment in Shaker Heights Municipal Court on May 15.