Girl, 4, nearly walks into Market Street traffic
BOARDMAN — A 4-year-old girl got out of her father’s apartment and nearly stepped onto Market Street when a passer-by stopped and moved her to safety.
The passer-by called police and said the girl was about to step into traffic to try to cross Market Street about 11 a.m. Friday when the woman stopped.
When a police officer arrived, the girl’s father came running from the Carriage Hill Apartments, Market Street, and yelled at the girl about leaving without him. A police report says that the man told the girl it would be her fault if he lost custody of her over the incident. The girl started to cry.
The man told police that he was in the bathroom in his apartment at Carriage Hill when he heard the door close. He assumed the girl had opened it and possibly left the apartment. He reportedly told police that he tried to hurry up but that he didn’t leave to look for the girl for about five or 10 minutes.
The girl was found about 150 yards from the apartment complex. The man indicated he had been awarded full custody of the girl on July 10 from the girl’s mother.
A police report said the apartment was in fair condition and the girl seemed comfortable and playful around her father.
No charges have been filed, but the incident was referred to the department’s youth and family services unit for review.