Jun 25, 2008 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

BELLE VERNON – Southwest Regional police have filed charges against a Belle Vernon man for allegedly allowing his son access to firecrackers and a cigarette lighter Saturday afternoon. Police Chief John Dale Hartman said Brandon C. Barcus Sr., 37, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person after his 9-year-old son suffered injuries while playing with the firecrackers at a location on Grand Street.

Hartman said the incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. when Barcus allegedly left his son unattended with fireworks, including M-80 firecrackers, and a cigarette lighter.

Hartman said the child lit one of the M-80s, which then exploded in his hand.

“It blew off part of his index finger on his left hand and burned all fingers and hand,” Hartman said Tuesday. “His arm is in a special soft cast, and he will see a specialist to correct the wound and give a long-term prognosis.”

The child was taken to Monongahela Valley Hospital for treatment and later transferred to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Hartman said hospital officials made police aware of the incident Sunday.

He said through his investigation, police believe Barcus left his lighter and several M-80s and other firecrackers on a counter at a home on Grand Street where the child could access the items and then went to a different part of the home.

He noted that M-80s are illegal in Pennsylvania.

Hartman said the incident also is under investigation by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

The charges were filed before magisterial District Judge Jesse Cramer.

A preliminary hearing will be held at a later date.