A Ridgefield Park man and former firefighter is accused of leaving a 5-year-old child alone in a borough park while he engaged in sexual activity in a car, police said Wednesday.
Charles Pipitone, 47 (Bergen County Sheriff's Office)
Charles Pipitone, 47, faces charges of child endangerment and lewdness, according to police Chief Thomas P. Rowe.
A concerned resident told police on Monday afternoon that a young child was left alone in a park next to the department's station, Rowe said.
"The reporting person estimated that the child was unattended for at least an hour," the chief said in a statement.
Police learned the child was "under the supervision" of Pipitone, Rowe said.
Further investigation revealed that Pipitone was engaged in a sex act in his car, which was parked in a lot at the park where the child was left alone, the chief added.
Officer Erik Goodell and Detective Sgt. Christopher Garris arrested Pipitone on Wednesday, according to Rowe. Bail was set at $2,500, with no 10 percent option.
Rowe said the case would be forwarded to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office for review.
Pipitone was suspended from the borough's volunteer fire department in the wake of an unrelated case where a child was molested at the fire station, according to published reports.
RELATED: Third Leonia firefighter suspended under new background check policy
A new criminal background check requirement instituted for members of the fire department found that Pipitone was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with police more than 10 years ago, The Record reported. His status with the department was not immediately clear.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
