Father Accused of Neglecting Child is Captured

A father accused of leaving his toddler alone in a darkened garage has been taken into custody.

Terrence Ford, 46, was arrested at 7:28 p.m. in the 22400 block of Terrace Pines Drive in Grand Terrace, the same home where police say the 2-year-old was found. Ford was in the home with the child's mother at the time of the arrest, officials said.

He was booked into the Central Detention Center on suspicion of child endangerment.

Ford's 2-year-old daughter was found by her grandmother at 11 a.m., Grand Terrace Police said.

The mother left the child in Ford's care on Dec. 27 while she went to work, officials said. Sometime later police said the grandmother checked on the girl, found her alone and found Ford upstairs in the home eating and watching TV.

As soon as he learned that authorities had been summoned Ford fled, officers said.

Ford is reportedly estranged from the child's mother and only stays in the home when babysitting, officials said. 

The investigation continues. Police ask anyone with information to call Deputy Loera at (909) 387-8313. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at (800) 782-7463 or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.