The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A New York City Parks Department employee was arrested after a 10-year-old girl suffered catastrophic injuries when a firework exploded in her hand at a Staten Island park.
The 24-year-old employee appeared in Staten Island Criminal Court on August 12, one day after the explosion. He was granted supervised release, and a full order of protection was issued for the child. He pleaded not guilty to charges of endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment.
Authorities said the girl was taken to Staten Island University Hospital following the incident at General Douglas MacArthur Park. She was in stable condition but had lost several fingers and suffered serious burns. A family friend also said the girl may have lost vision in one eye.
The circumstances surrounding the blast began with a firework the girl reportedly discovered inside a park bathroom. The device was identified as an M-80, although authorities had not determined how it got into the bathroom.
According to the criminal complaint, the girl sought a lighter after finding the firework. The Parks employee allegedly provided one, despite the child being in possession of the device. She then used the lighter while holding the firework, which exploded in her hand.
People in the park heard a loud blast near the bathroom area. Witnesses then saw the injured girl fleeing the area with blood covering her hand. Authorities responded and used a tourniquet before she was transported to the hospital.
The employee told an officer he had given the girl the lighter and said he did not expect the incident to happen. He also told police he wanted the children to have fun, according to the complaint.
The Parks Department terminated the employee from his seasonal position.
Fireworks are prohibited in New York City parks, and M-80 fireworks are illegal.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.