Father accused of leaving kids, 6, 9, at park while going to Walmart, LA Fitness

SCOTT, Pa. — A Scott Township father has been charged with child endangerment after police said he left his children at a playground unattended for almost two hours Saturday.

According to the criminal complaint, Govindaraj Narayanasamy, 38, dropped his 6-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy off at Scott Park and went to Walmart and LA Fitness. Police said Narayanasamy came back between 90 minutes and two hours later.

Authorities said a woman noticed the children by themselves for a long time and eventually called police. Officers said the kids told them their father was parking the car at LA Fitness when questioned.

Other parents told Channel 11’s Vince Sims that they would have done the same thing.

“I think it’s irresponsible and I don’t think a 6-year-old and 9-year-old are capable of taking care of themselves,” Kendra English said.

“To me, at that age, 50 yards is too far to be from your kids,” Dawn English said.

When Narayanasamy returned, he told police he went to Walmart to get snacks for the kids, but admitted it wasn’t a good idea to leave them alone.

He said he then went to LA Fitness to shower. Police aren’t sure why he went to LA Fitness just to shower.

Although Child and Youth Services were called, the kids remain with their father.

According to police, Narayanasamy is charged with two counts of child endangerment.

WPXI