Charles Browning (left), 56, arrested for leaving toddler in stuck in stroller for hours while passed out. Toddler’s mother, Mary Browning (right), 22, arrested on unrelated burglary charge.
A West Virginia toddler was rescued early Wednesday morning after a neighbor called police after hearing a child scream and cry for several hours in an apartment next door to the caller.
When Charleston Police arrived at the home around 12:40 am EST, they found a baby strapped inside a stroller, unable to get free. The baby’s father, Charles Browning, 56, was lying next to the tot, passed out. Police say they believe the 19-month-old baby boy was stuck inside the stroller for hours.
Police wrote in their report that they had a difficult time waking Browning up. They suspect he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol or both. Police also noted that the apartment was extremely hot and had no air conditioning.
Browning was subsequently arrested and charged with child endangerment.
Browning joined his wife and mother of the toddler victim, Mary Browning, 22, at the South Central Regional Jail where she has been since her arrest on Monday. Mary Browning was arrested for alleged burglaries in the area.
The couple’s toddler son is now in the custody of CPS.
