Man admitted to ARD program
A Connellsville man who left his 2-year-old stepchild alone while he and his wife went grocery shopping last year was admitted to a pretrial diversionary program Tuesday in Fayette County Court. Virgil Price, 22, will be in the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for six months, under the order handed down by Judge Steve P. Leskinen. That order mimics that of his wife, Laudia, 21, of who was admitted to ARD for six months earlier this year by Judge Ralph C. Warman.
Connellsville police charged that the North Manor couple left Laudia Price’s child home alone in a second floor bedroom on Aug. 30, 2007. Police found the child around 1:15 a.m. after neighbors called authorities and reported that the toddler was left alone.
The Prices returned home about 35 minutes after police arrived, and told police that they went grocery shopping, according to court papers.
Before admitting Virgil Price to ARD, Leskinen asked if he understood that he should not have left the child home alone. Price replied that he did.
Participation in the ARD program is not an admission of guilt. Those who complete the program can have their record expunged.
As part of Virgil Price’s participation, he will have to complete 50 hours of community service in 60 days.