Dad DONALD CRAWFORD decided to drive his semi down to the Sassy Cats strip club, and left it unlocked--with his 5-year-old son inside. When he finally staggered outside, Daddy was so loaded he couldn't find the truck (how the hell do you lose a SEMI in a parking lot?). So he called 911 (see the transcript of the subsequent conversation below). The boy is now back in the custody of the mother, and hopefully HE WILL STAY THERE.
http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/crime/dad-leaves-child-in-unlocked-semi-while-in-strip-club
Dad leaves child in unlocked semi while in strip club
Updated: Tuesday, 24 Nov 2009, 12:12 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 24 Nov 2009, 11:01 AM EST
Reporter: Gene Rodriguez
Editor: Hyacinth Williams
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A Franklin man is facing a preliminary child neglect charge after police say he left his 5-year-old son alone in his unlocked semi while he drank at an Indianapolis strip club.
According to police, when 39-year-old Donald Crawford came out of the club he couldn’t find his semi and reported it stolen at about 1:35 a.m. Tuesday.
Officers who responded to the 911 call said Crawford smelled of alcohol and describe his eyes as blood shot.
Police said Crawford was in his semi-truck with his son at about midnight, when he told police he decided to go to Sassy Cats Strip Club at 1539 South East Street.
The bartender at the club told police Crawford was at the club for about 45 minutes drinking. But police say Crawford was drunk and disoriented when he left the club.
In the 911 call police say Crawford told the dispatcher he couldn't find his truck with his child.
Dispatcher: Were you in a business or something?
Crawford: No, I was at whatever this little strip club is.
Dispatcher: You left him in the truck to wait for you?
Crawford: He was sleeping.
Police say the semi was parked where Crawford had left it, unlocked with his child inside watching cartoons.
The boy was OK and is now in the custody of his mother in Franklin.
In addition to the child neglect charge, Crawford faces a public intoxication charge as well.