Bethany man accused of child neglect

By Robert Medley

Published: September 17, 2008

BETHANY — A man faces charges of child neglect and marijuana possession after a 2-year-old boy wearing only a T-shirt was found wandering toward a creek, court records state.

Michael Wayne Simmons, 27, of Bethany was charged Friday in Oklahoma County District Court.

A police report states that about 8:40 p.m. Aug. 22, a Bethany officer was called to NW 19 and College Avenue where people found the boy walking without shoes or pants. A dog was walking with the boy, the report states.

The area has heavy traffic and a high crime rate, the report states.

Police learned that a boy matching his description was often seen playing unsupervised outside a house at 6617 NW 20.

Police went to the house and found Simmons asleep. Two other small children also were in the house.

The reports states that marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in the house. While officers were there, the dog that had been walking with the boy ran up to the house and went in the back yard.

The report states that the house was in disarray and an infant girl had no diapers.

The police report states the children's mother was at work at the time. The children were left in her custody when Simmons was arrested, Bethany Police Chief Phil Cole said. Cole said Simmons is the 2-year-old boy's father.

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