Police say passenger fled from traffic stop leaving his 2-year-old behind, driver charged with felony
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The driver of a car pulled over with a 2-year-old inside was charged with a felony by Tarentum police after the toddler’s father, who was a passenger, fled from officers, police say.
Police charged John Francis Brockman Jr., 31, of Cornetti Road in Clearfield Township, Butler County, with felony child endangerment, along with driving with a license suspended for DUI and drug possession, in connection with the Monday, Feb. 21 incident, according to a criminal complaint.
An officer on patrol pulled a vehicle over near East Seventh Avenue and Corbet Street about 9 p.m. for driving with high beams in traffic, an inspection sticker that expired last May and a burned-out taillight, the complaint said.
Police said a man got out of the back seat and began walking away before running off when an officer ordered him to stop, the complaint said.
In addition to driving with a suspended license, police said, Brockman didn’t have a registration or insurance for the vehicle.
When the officer asked him about the child in the back seat, Brockman responded, “Dude just left his kid,” the complaint said.
When they asked if there were any drugs in the vehicle, Brockman handed over 10 stamp bags of heroin with the marking “PAYPAL” that were in his pocket, according to his arrest papers.
A crack pipe with cocaine residue was found in Brockman’s underwear when he was searched, police said.
Investigators said Brockman had slurred speech, and, when they asked him the last time he used heroin, he said, “Everyday. A lot,” according to the complaint.
Police said he refused to allow blood to be drawn so it could be tested for the presence of drugs or alcohol.
The toddler was taken to the Tarentum police station, and the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families was contacted, police said.
Police said they know the identity of the child’s father, but information was not available about whether they would pursue charges against him.
Brockman was released from custody after posting a $5,000 cash bond. He faces a preliminary hearing March 2 before District Judge Carolyn S. Bengel.