Young children left in car while dad shopped

A Holly man is being investigated by the Michigan Family Independence Agency (FIA) after he allegedly left his two young children alone in a running vehicle while he shopped at an area store.

On Monday, June 27, at 4:15 p.m., a Waterford Township police officer responding to an unrelated call in the 4000 block of Dixie Highway reportedly observed the two small children alone in the car with the windows rolled down. The officer stayed with the children — a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old — until the father returned several minutes later.

The 25-year-old man told police he had been inside a store for only a couple minutes and left the radio on inside the vehicle to comfort the children during his absence. However, witnesses stated the children were left alone for between 10 and 15 minutes, according to Waterford Township police.

A report has been forwarded to the FIA. The man and children were released at the scene after the man was advised not to repeat his actions.