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.