Police in Colorado arrested a 44-year-old father after his 4-year-old daughter was found alone in his apartment, wearing only a diaper. The child was discovered by officers on a second-story balcony crying for help around 10:30 p.m. last Tuesday, according to the Boulder Police Department.
Officers scaled a fence and used patrol cars to reach the girl, who was unharmed. The apartment contained a significant amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia within the child's reach, police stated. Officers provided the girl with a clean diaper and clothing before taking her to the police station while they attempted to contact her mother.
Later, the child was taken to her mother's home in Denver. The father, identified as Paul Wilson, told police by phone that he had left his daughter asleep when he went out to buy food and refused to return to the apartment.
Police located Wilson the following day at a Boulder bar. According to reports, officers found Wilson in possession of approximately 15 grams of cocaine and a large sum of cash. He was arrested and charged with child abuse, reckless endangerment, felony unlawful possession of cocaine, and felony drug distribution charges.
The Boulder Police Department shared on Facebook that they were relieved the child was not harmed and hoped she would remember the kindness of those who assisted her.