FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A Franklin man is accused of child endangerment after a three-year-old child who was in his care was found walking down the middle of Gilfillan Street in Franklin, Venango County.

According to court documents, on August 14, the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department filed criminal charges in Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office against 30-year-old Andrew Justin Hale, of Franklin.

On June 27, 2018, around 11:28 a.m., Officer Highfield, of the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department, was dispatched to Gilfillan Street for the report of a three-year-old male walking down the middle of the road in the rain. When he arrived on the scene, he spoke with two individuals who stated that they saw the child walking in the middle of the road in the pouring rain, according to a criminal complaint.

Officer Highfield made contact with the child who was non-verbal; however, the child did communicate by head nods and finger-pointing. Officer Highfield advised the individuals who reported the incident that he would try to get the child home.

The complaint states that Officer Highfield walked with the child around several blocks in the village of Rocky Grove before finally locating the child’s grandfather.

It was learned that the child was supposed to be with his uncle — Andrew Hale — at 26 Parker Avenue, Franklin. It was believed that the child left the residence to find his mother and that Andrew Hale couldn’t find the child and had asked the child’s grandfather to look for him.

It is unknown how long the child was wandering the village of Rocky Grove, according to the complaint.

Venango County 9-1-1 received a call at 11:25 a.m., and the child was returned to his grandfather at 11:46 a.m.

The complaint states that at no point in time did Andrew Hale make any effort to locate the child other than calling the child’s grandfather.

According to the complaint, it is believed that Andrew Hale was negligent in his care for the child by allowing him to go outside and then not going to look for him.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on September 12 in front of Judge Lowrey.

Hale faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge of Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense.

Hale was issued a certified summons on August 15.