AHOSKIE – Charges are pending against the father of a five-year-old child after he allegedly left his young son alone in an alley here Monday morning.

Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh did not identify the father, saying that the matter was now being investigated by the Child Protective Services (CPS) branch of the Hertford County Department of Social Services.

“We contact CPS when there is a case involving a child,” Fitzhugh said. “CPS performs an in depth background check into the parent or parents, determining if there are previous cases of possible child neglect.”

Fitzhugh added that once CPS completes its investigation there is the possibility that criminal charges against the father will be filed.

The child was spotted by an employee of PNC Bank (formerly RBC Centura) upon arriving at work. Fitzhugh confirmed that the child was standing alone in an alley that runs behind the Main Street businesses from Railroad Street to Maple Street.

“The bank employee called us and we sent officers to investigate,” Fitzhugh said.

Fitzhugh said the father of the child returned to the alley.

“He told my officers that he had left the child there while he went to get breakfast,” Fitzhugh stated. “We were able to determine that the child was left alone for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The question we have is why the father chose to leave his young son alone for that period of time.”

Ahoskie Police Captain Michele Garrett, Sgt. Michael Kellett and Officer Jesse Mizelle responded to the scene and are handling the police investigation into the case while waiting on the CPS findings.