DONGAN HILLS, Staten Island (PIX11) — A scary fireworks accident left a 10-year-old girl with devastating injuries, and a New York City Parks worker under arrest.
Investigators say the girl found what police believe was a powerful M-80 firework inside a bathroom at General Douglas MacArthur Park on Tuesday, and instead of stopping her, the Parks employee allegedly gave her a lighter.
Investigators say the 10-year-old approached several adults looking for a lighter. Witnesses say they refused, but police allege 24-year-old Parks employee Joshua Moe, who was on duty at the time, gave her one.
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That firework exploded in her hand, and she lost several fingers.
Her mom called 911, and she was rushed to the hospital.
Moe was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment. He was arraigned on Wednesday and released under supervision.
The fireworks in this incident are similar to those banned in New York City parks.
The NYC Parks department says its disciplinary unit is investigating. Police are also trying to determine how that firework ended up inside the park in the first place.
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