Father waives endangerment case
James Grusofski of Washington, left, leaves District Judge Robert Redlinger’s office with his defense attorney, Noah Geary, after waiving his case to court. Grusofski was charged last month after his 4-year-old son was found alone outside without a coat or shoes.
James Grusofski of Washington leaves District Judge Robert Redlinger’s office after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. Grusofski was charged last month after his 4-year-old son was found alone outside without a coat or shoes.
A Washington man arrested last month after his 4-year-old son was found alone outside with no coat, shoes or socks waived his case to court Wednesday after a charge of aggravated assault was withdrawn by Washington police.
James Aaron Grusofski, 33, of 1355 Allison Ave., allegedly left the 4-year-old and his two other sons, ages 9 months and 7, in a vehicle while he was inside a friend’s house in the 300 block of East Maiden Street on Jan. 16. When he left the house, he apparently did not notice that the 4-year-old had gotten out of the car.
Police were called to the area by a witness who could hear the boy yelling. It was near 30 degrees when the child was found about 9:45 p.m.
Police searched the area but could not locate the boy’s parents. The boy’s mother and grandmother subsequently reported him missing and came to the police station. Grusofski also went to the station, where he allegedly got into a scuffle with police after they told him he was being charged.
Grusofski had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Robert Redlinger, but he waived his right to a hearing on three counts of endangering the welfare of children and one count of resisting arrest.
Noah Geary, Grusofski’s defense attorney, said his client is embarrassed and feels awful about what happened.
Geary said Grusofski did not go to the friend’s home to watch a football game, as initially reported by police. Grusofski was an Army paratrooper and served in Iraq, the attorney said, adding that Grusofski and his wife are working with Washington County Children and Youth Services.
“He and his wife are good people and good parents,” Geary said, admitting that his client had a lapse in judgment.
Grusofski remains free on $10,000 bond. He will be formally arraigned on the charges April 1.