Islip man charged after leaving two young kids in cold car, police say
Christopher Evans, of Islip, was charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, police said. Credit: SCPD
An Islip man accused of leaving his two young children alone in a car in 35-degree temperatures Dec. 5 while he went to a doctor’s appointment in Lake Grove was released on his own recognizance Thursday.
Christopher Evans, 41, was arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and released without posting bail. District Court Judge Jennifer Henry declined to issue an order of protection preventing Evans from seeing his children.
Suffolk police, responding to a 911 call, said Evans left his 4-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son unattended for 20 minutes in his 2012 Honda Pilot Wednesday afternoon as he went into a medical office at 2233 Nesconset Hwy. Police officials said the car was not running and was unlocked.
But James Misiano, Evans' Hauppauge-based defense attorney, said his client disputes the police account. He said the car was locked, the doctor's visit was shorter than 20 minutes and the children were always within his sight from the waiting room.
"He is a wonderful father," Misiano said.
A family member took custody of the children, police said.
Evans is due back in court Dec. 20.
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
Jericho condo fire ... English Regents scores up ... One mega jackpot! ... Migrants' plight
Jericho condo fire ... English Regents scores up ... One mega jackpot! ... Migrants' plight
