YORK — Two parents have been charged with child abuse and neglect after authorities say a neighbor found their 2-year-old child playing in a roadway.
John Burns, 44, and Beatrice Burns, 34, are each facing one felony charge of child abuse, York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Shelley Ward said.
Deputies responded to the 200-block of Bruton Drive around 11 a.m. July 9 for a report of a child playing in a toy car in the street, Ward said.
A neighbor called authorities after seeing the child in the roadway. When the neighbor tried to help, the child ran back into the house, Ward said.
During their investigation, deputies discovered John and Beatrice Burns allegedly left their two 2-year-old children, one male and one female, in the care of a 10-year-old sibling.
The Burnses were at an appointment that morning, Ward said.
John Burns was arrested July 9, and Beatrice Burns was arrested two days later, according to an arrest report. Both were taken to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, although the jail website no longer lists either parent as a current inmate.
