Today Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich announced an indictment against a 35- year-old Cleves man who locked a 2-year-old special needs child in a bedroom and left the child home alone.

Joshua Merz, 7433 Zion Hill Road, was indicted on two counts of child endangerment, which were filed as a third-degree felony and first-degree misdemeanor for the April 8 incident.

Merz is accused of leaving the child alone for at least seven hours while he went to work.

A neighbor found the child and called the authorities. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find the home in a condition they described as filthy and potentially dangerous.

According to the indictment Merz, “recklessly physically restrained” the child in a “cruel manner or for a prolonged period, which restraint was excessive under the circumstances and a created a substantial risk of serious physical harm.”

Pillich said, “There is never a reason to leave a 2-year -old child home alone. It’s our job to make sure those who cannot speak for themselves are protected. And that’s exactly what we will do in this case.”

Merz faces up to three and half years in prison if convicted.

For questions please call Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office Communications Director Sharon Coolidge at 513-317-5136 or email her at Sharon.Coolidge@hcpros.org