A man faces DUI and child endangerment charges after he reported that a child had gone missing from his vehicle while he was in a supermarket in Mansfield on Monday only to later learn he had left the juvenile at home.
The child was reported missing by 30-year-old Colby Parker of Mansfield sometime around 8:18 p.m. at the Price Chopper located at 1220 Storrs Road, according to Connecticut State Police.
Troopers combed the area along with officers from the UConn and Coventry Police Departments during a search that included K-9 units as well as employees of Price Chopper, state police said. A reverse 911 call was also sent out to residents notifying them of the missing child report.
While crews were searching the area, employees of Price Chopper were able to review the store’s video surveillance and discovered that Parker had made two trips to the supermarket that evening and that he did not bring the child during the latter visit.
The juvenile was found at home at about 9:12 p.m. and was unharmed, according to state police.
According to state police, Parker reportedly showed signs of “possible impairment” and was “unaware” that he did not bring the child during his second visit to the grocery store. He agreed to take multiple field sobriety tests, which state police said he failed.
Parker was arrested on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second-degree reckless endangerment, risk of injury to a child and second-degree breach of peace. He was held on a $25,000 bond and was expected to face a judge Tuesday in Rockville Superior Superior Court.
The child was turned over to a family member, state police said.
The state Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident and is investigating.
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