Couple Faces Charges For Child Endangerment
Parents Leave Toddler At Home To See New 'Star Wars' Flick
POSTED: 12:21 p.m. PDT May 18, 2002
UPDATED: 3:06 p.m. PDT May 18, 2002
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A Bakersfield couple faces serious charges after leaving their toddler home alone while they went to see "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" movie at midnight Wednesday.
Melissa and Billy Martin say they are both sorry for leaving their 2-year-old son Austin home alone late Wednesday night.
Austin is now in protective custody. The couple says they will do whatever it takes to bring Austin back home.
The Martins say they "know what's going on is unfair to him. We should have made better decisions." They say they miss him and want him back.
According to KERO 23 News, Bakersfield police responded to the Mirage Apartments early Thursday morning after a neighbor complained 2-year-old Austin Martin was left home alone.
Police say they found Austin alone, and also seized 12 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
When the couple arrived home, they told police they left him alone while they went to see the movie.
The Martins are being charged with child endangerment, and are free on bail. They say they will do whatever it takes to bring Austin home.
The Martins will be arraigned on Wednesday.
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