Lethbridge father charged after toddler found unattended near traffic, police say

A 23-year-old Lethbridge man is facing criminal charges after police say his two-year-old son was found unattended in a stroller that was moving toward traffic in downtown Lethbridge.

According to a Lethbridge Police Service news release, officers responded on May 27 to a business in the 500 block of 1 Avenue South after security staff intervened to stop a toddler from entering a roadway. Security staff reported the child, who was strapped into a stroller, used his feet to propel himself toward 1 Avenue while an adult male was slumped against a nearby pillar and did not attempt to retrieve him.

Police said officers found the male displaying signs of severe intoxication and determined he was unable to care for himself or the child. Investigators also located open liquor in a bag attached to the stroller.

The investigation found the man was subject to court-ordered conditions prohibiting him from possessing or consuming alcohol. He was arrested at the scene without incident, police said.

The child was not physically injured and remained in police care until family members arrived and assumed custody.

A 23-year-old man, whose identity is being withheld to protect the identity of the child, has been 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, he was remanded into custody and was scheduled to appear in court.