Father charged with neglect after toddler drowns
The father of a toddler who drowned in a pool at their Siler City home was charged with misdemeanor child neglect on Wednesday.
Posted — UpdatedA neighbor found Timothy Austin Parnell, 2, in an above-ground pool in the backyard of his 100 Piney Bluff Road home on the morning of May 31. Attempts to revive Timothy were unsuccessful, and officials ruled that he drowned.
Authorities said the boy's father, Timothy Jason Parnell, 28, was inside the house when the neighbor found his son.
The Chatham County Sheriff's Office conducted a joint investigation with Child Protective Services and charged Parnell with one count of misdemeanor child neglect after consulting the district attorney's office.
Investigators said they found that Parnell provided inadequate supervision of the children and the swimming pool did not have a fence and lockable gate, violating county ordinances.
Other children who lived in the home have been placed with relatives, officials said.
Parnell was released from the Chatham County Jail under a $2,000 unsecured bond. His first court appearance was set for June 17.
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
