Police Say Man Left Children Alone in Car for 14 Hours

The father of two children left alone overnight in his car and found on Wednesday afternoon by Milpitas police has been arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment, a police spokeswoman said.

Julio Reyes, 29, of San Jose, was arrested at the end of an interview with Milpitas police after he reported his children and car missing at 11:22 p.m. Wednesday -- more than 24 hours after leaving the children behind, Milpitas police Lt. Sandy Holliday said.

Police found out about the children, a 10-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, at 12:42 p.m. Wednesday when someone called 911 to report a suspicious vehicle parked in the 200 block of Hillview Drive in Milpitas, Holliday said.

Officers arrived, looked into the car and saw the two children, who were disheveled, tired and hungry, Holliday said. The car doors were unlocked but the youths had remained inside since 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Reyes later told police he had parked the car and left them to go to a friend's home nearby, Holliday said.

Police took the children into protective custody, Holliday said. "They brought them to the Police Department and someone got them some food," Holliday said. "They were fine after that."

The children were later placed into the custody of the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children's Services, Holliday said.

Police arrested Reyes on suspicion of felony child endangerment but are not commenting on why Reyes said he left his children behind for more than 14 hours, Holliday said.

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