Dad arrested for reckless endangerment, child abuse (Hurlock, Maryland)

Dad WILLIAM EDWARD HUTSON, JR. has been arrested for reckless endangerment, custodial child abuse, and posession of a controlled dangerous substance. Authorities found him at home, zoned out on Vicodin, while his three young children (2-, 3-, and 4-years of age) were out in the street.

Is this a custodial dad? There is no mention of mom.

http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10656935

Hurlock Man Arrested for Reckless Endangerment, Child Abuse
Posted: July 7, 2009 01:10 PM CDT
William Edward Hutson Jr.

HURLOCK, Md.- Authorities say they arrested a Hurlock man Sunday after finding him unconscious in his home with a bottle of prescription painkillers between his legs while his three small children playing unattended in the street.

The incident occurred Sunday, July 5, when deputies with the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office responded to a home on Elizabeth Street for a report of children playing in the street. Upon arrival the deputies located three children, aged 2, 3 and 4, half-clothed playing in the traveled portion of the roadway near the house. The deputies went inside of the house where they found the father of all three children unconscious. Police say the deputies found a prescription bottle without a label on it between the father's legs. The deputies were unable to awaken him and EMS was called.

The paramedics were able awaken the children's father, identified as 26-year-old William Edward Hutson Jr. According to police, the paramedics inquired as to the ownership of the pills and he replied they were his but had been prescribed to his sister. The pills were identified as Vicodin, a medicine used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Due to the condition of the children, investigators contacted Dorchester County Social Services which took custody of the three children. Hutson was arrested and charged with three counts of reckless endangerment, three counts of custodial child abuse, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and removing the label from a prescription bottle. He was locked up on $200,000 bond.