A Rio Rico man was found in an apparently intoxicated state after leaving his three small children unattended in a car at a local fast food restaurant, authorities said.
Jose M. Aviles, 29, was arrested and jailed on three counts of child neglect, child abuse and endangerment, as well as resisting arrest.
According to the Nogales Police Department, a concerned citizen reported shortly before 7 p.m. Friday that the children had been alone in the vehicle at the McDonald’s on Crawford Street for approximately 30 minutes.
Officers arrived at the scene and found the children, ages 1, 4 and 6, in a vehicle littered with trash. A half-consumed beer can was also near the front seat, NPD said.
The officers learned that the children’s father, Aviles, was supposed to be caring for them at the time. He was later located at his residence and suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
The children were not harmed, NPD said, and were turned over to a family member. The Arizona Department of Child Safety was also contacted about the incident.
Sheriff Antonio Estrada said Aviles was combative and uncooperative during his intake at the jail and detention officers had to physically subdue him, which resulted in Avila's rough appearance in his mug shot.