HANFORD (KMJ) — A three year old girl is safe after a late night walk ended with her father losing her, and police said he was intoxicated at the time.
Hanford PD reported that Zachary Pimentel had been out with her Tuesday evening. The 25 year old last remembered being with her at a park in Hanford around 10pm.
“He reported that he had been pushing his child around town in a stroller throughout the day, visited some friends, had consumed some alcoholic beverages,” explained Captain Pat Crowe.
“He made his way home at about 10pm and at 4am realized that the child was not with him.”
That sparked a search of the area around the park. The toddler was found at 7.50am, when a local resident discovered the girl outside her home. She was taken to the hospital, but had no visible injuries.
“In 23 years this is the first time I’ve ever had somebody get drunk and lose a kid,” added Captain Crowe.
Investigators established that the suspect had court ordered visitation rights, and was exercising them at the time. Pimentel was arrested Wednesday and is now facing several child endangerment charges. He has been booked into Kings County Jail.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
