Ohio Man Chooses Thrills Over Parenting, Leaves Kids Unattended at Cedar Point

Ohio, land ofroller coasters and parental negligence, made headlines again as a 36-year-old Kansas resident decided that catching some airtime on rides was more important than, you know, watching his kids.

This father of the year took his four children—aged 2, 4, 8, and 9—to Cedar Point last Friday, according to Lt. C. Denny of the Sandusky Police Department. In a stunning display of responsible parenting, he left the 8-year-old in charge of the younger two while he and the eldest went on rides. Because what could possibly go wrong with that plan?

According to an incident report obtained by USA TODAY, a woman spotted one of the children near the Magum XL-200 coaster "playing in the dirt." Shocking, I know. She walked with the child toward the Corkscrew and found another sibling alone in a wagon. She waited about 20 minutes until the father returned, probably wondering if she was secretly being filmed for a reality TV show.

Child endangerment: Parents accused of leaving infant unattended on shore while boating in New York. Because apparently, it's not just an Ohio thing.

Man Confesses to Prioritizing Fun Over Kids, Police Roll Their Eyes

When questioned by police, the man admitted that he left the children alone multiple times. "I asked [the man] how many rides he rode and left the children unattended. [He] stated three but one of the rides he rode twice," the officer wrote in the report. I guess he was going for the "Most Irresponsible Parent" award.

The man was charged with endangering children, a misdemeanor, for failing to watch his kids, "which could result in causing substantial risk," police said. Shockingly, the judge allowed him to be released on his own recognizance, because who needs supervision when you've shown such excellent judgment?

His case was reported to the Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services. Maybe they can teach him that parenting is more than just a pit stop between roller coasters.

Last year, Ohio mother Kristel Candelario was arrested and charged in connection with the death of her 16-month-old child after authorities say she left her daughter alone at home while she went on vacation for about 10 days. In March, Candelario was sentenced to life in prison, according to multiple reports. Just your average "responsible parenting" news in Ohio.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.