(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man could face prison time for allegedly endangering his young children.

 

38-year old Eugene Wallace is charged with Level 6 felony Neglect of a Dependent. According to court documents, the children on foot were about to dart into oncoming traffic on Lincolnway at Heinz Street nearly two weeks ago.

 

A passing driver stopped and stayed with the children until police arrived. Police say an officer located their father at a nearby home in the 300 block of Heinz Street. He was lying on a couch and appeared to be sleeping. Law enforcement officials also allege that Wallace had an odor of alcohol on his breath.

 

One of the children wore only a diaper, while the other had an oversized shirt and sandals. How long the children were outside unattended was not known, police said.

 

Wallace could face an up to two and a half year prison sentence.