Cops: Kids left to own devices while parents fulfilled their vices

IN SEPARATE CASES on the same day in Upper Darby last week, two adults who put their music and their booze above the kids in their care were arrested for endangering the welfare of children, according to police.

At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to Thorndale Road near Springfield, where they found a hysterical 7-year-old boy wandering alone in the streets in just his underwear, Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said.

While on scene, the child's father, Shawn Lamb, 33, drove up and told police that he had left the boy alone while he went to his recording studio in Collingdale, according to Chitwood. Police also said Lamb told officers that this wasn't the first time he'd left the child alone.

"Well, he got locked up, so he can record that," Chitwood said.

Just hours earlier, about noon, police arrested Sophia Pinkey, 40, for leaving her 11-month-old and 6-year-old nephews alone in a parked car on 69th Street while she went to buy booze at a state store.

A passing officer spotted the boys alone in the unlocked car and searched several stores before entering the Wine and Spirits Store and announcing that she was looking for the guardian of the children in the car.

"The defendant was in line and lifted her head up and said, 'It's me!' " Chitwood said. "Then, she continued paying for her vodka."

A follow-up investigation revealed that Pinkey had been in the store for at least 10 minutes and had walked around asking other customers - and the store's security guard - to borrow money for her booze.

Both Pinkey and Lamb were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person.

"You can't leave your children alone," Chitwood said. "Whether it's buying vodka or going to your recording studio, it's unacceptable for any reason."

Online: ph.ly/crime

Blog: ph.ly/Delco