Crime & Safety

Dad Arrested After Kids Found Alone at Playground

The two children, ages 3 and 6, were allegedly alone at the West Woods School playground for an hour, according to police.

The father of two young children was arrested Monday afternoon after police reportedly found the kids alone at a school playground.

Off. Mark Gery responded to the West Woods School playground about 5:45 p.m. Monday on the report of the two children unattended there, according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.

Gery found the two children, ages 3 and 6, at the playground without any adult supervision, Smith said, and while investigating learned that the kids had been there alone for about an hour.

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Their father, Erik Grenet, 38, of 60 West Side Dr., was found nearby watching a soccer game, Smith said. Grenet was about 500 yards away from the playground, but was separated from the spot by a thick, dense wooded area, Smith said.

Grenet was charged with two counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor. He posted $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court Aug. 18. 

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