Passed-out dad with custody violation found with girl, 3 (South Bend, Indiana)

Authorities were already looking for the UNNAMED DAD and the 3-year-old child on a custodial violation. They found him and the girl alright. Daddy was passed out drunk on a sidewalk outside a gas station, while the poor bewildered little girl was trying to "wake him up." A half-empty bottle of vodka was next to Daddy's car. Guess it's lucky daddy was too drunk to get into a crash and kill somebody. Wonder if he had legal visitation before, or whether he was just "asserting his rights"?

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090617/News01/906179996/1130Authorities

Police: Girl, 3, found with passed-out dad at gas station

Tribune Staff Report

SOUTH BEND — A 27-year-old Fort Wayne man was arrested late Monday after police allegedly found him passed out drunk outside of a gas station next to his 3-year-old daughter.

South Bend police were dispatched to the Marathon gas station at South Michigan Street and Ireland Road about 11:40 p.m. for a report of a man with a small child passed out on the sidewalk.

Upon arrival, officers were met by a witness who said he called police after noticing the man lying unresponsive in front of the station. He said the man's daughter was trying to wake her father by shaking him.

Upon investigation, police learned Elkhart County authorities were looking for the father and daughter in regard to a possible custodial violation.

A half-empty bottle of vodka was also reportedly found in the suspect's vehicle.

Police arrested the man on suspicion of neglect of a dependent and public intoxication. His blood-alcohol level was reportedly .21 percent.

With the mother's permission, the child was turned over to a family friend, police said.