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Pacoima Father Charged After 6-Month-Old Daughter Was Found Outside In The Cold

PACOIMA (CBSLA.com) — A San Fernando Valley father was charged Monday with leaving his six-month-old daughter unattended outside in the cold on Christmas morning.

Jose Chavarria, 29, was charged with two counts of child endangerment and one count of resisting arrest, City Attorney Mike Feuer announced.

Neighbor Margarita Alvarez said her husband came home early Christmas morning and found Chavarria's baby crying outside his Pacoima home around 2:10 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 25. Alvarez said her husband was afraid the baby was dead.

The girl, who was found uncovered in a stroller in 49-degree weather, was cold to the touch, investigators said.

Chavarria, who was located by officers heavily intoxicated and passed out on a couch inside the home where he rented a room, reportedly became belligerent with police and struggled briefly before being arrested.

The father was taken into custody on $100,000 bail. His daughter was placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Chavarria, who remains in jail on $100,000 bail, could face up to two years in prison and forced to pay $2,000 in fine if convicted.

The baby is in the care of Department of Children and Family Services.

 

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