Elizabeth Man Accused Of Leaving Daughter Outside Bar While He Drank

An Elizabeth man is accused of leaving his daughter alone in a parking lot while he went drinking inside a bar Sunday night.

Police said William Hoover, 39, went to Molnar's Lounge in Forward Township and drank inside for about an hour and a half while his 9-year-old daughter was left outside.

Other bar patrons became concerned and notified police about the situation.

When officers arrived, they found the girl standing by her father's car unharmed.

Police Officer Robert Curdie said a bartender told police that Hoover drank at least three 16-ounce cans of beer and was at the bar for at least 90 minutes.

Curdie said Hoover was in no condition to drive. Hoover's wife was notified and both he and his daughter were released to her custody.

“Basically he felt he didn’t do anything wrong,” Curdie said. “Then he admitted he made a mistake.”

Hoover was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment.

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