North Jersey Parents Left Young Kids Alone In Shore House: Police

BRIGANTINE, NJ — Two North Jersey parents are accused of leaving their young children, ages 8 and 1, alone in a Jersey Shore house while they may have been out drinking, according to a police news release.

A concerned citizen flagged down a Brigantine police officer on patrol at about 8:45 p.m. on May 25, police said. The citizen told the officer they were concerned about children being left alone in a possible unsafe situation and pointed out the house in question, police said.

Officers went to the house on the 4900 block of Harbor Beach Boulevard where an 8-year-old and a 1-year-old were alone, police said. The officers called the parents and learned that they were not home, nor were they nearby, according to police.

Officers asked the parents to come home. When the pair returned, both showed signs of impairment from drinking alcohol, police said.

Felix Y. Rodriguez (43) and Lydia Monterrosa (38), both of Jersey City, were charged with endangering the welfare of a child. They were released with an upcoming appearance in Atlantic County Superior Court.