Police in Trumbull have arrested the head coach of a high school boys' basketball team, who also teaches fifth grade, after he allegedly left his 4-year-old son home alone while going to the gym to work out.
Authorities said Charles D. Clemons Jr., 40, the coach at Harding High School in Bridgeport and a fifth-grade teacher at the Hall School in Bridgeport, was arrested Friday.
Police said an alarm went off at his Trumbull home and a neighbor spotted Clemons' 4-year-old son wandering outside the house around 7:30 a.m., wearing pajamas and one sock. Clemons turned out to be at the gym.
The neighbor called 911 when Clemons' son showed up at her home and said the house was on fire. Authorities responded and found no fire, but said something had tripped the alarm.
Clemons' son gave the neighbor his dad's phone number, so the neighbor called Clemons to tell him what happened. When Clemons returned, he told police he'd left his son home so he could go to the gym and set the alarm.
Clemons has been charged with risk of injury to a minor, and police have notified the state Department of Children and Families.
Police said Clemons' wife and two other children left the home earlier, according to the Post.
"The employee has been put on administrative leave pending our own investigation," said Michael Molford, of Bridgeport Public Schools.
Clemons is also a fifth-grade teacher at Hall School, and students were sent home with notes saying that the teacher would be absent for indefinite time.
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School officials said Clemons has been placed on paid administrative leave while the school system investigates his conduct.
Parents described Clemons as a "very fun-loving guy."
"He's very good with the kids," said Keasha Harris, of Bridgeport. "My daughter was in his class last year."
Bridgeport Athletic Director Neil Kavey declined to comment. Clemons' lawyer said his client made a mistake and is taking responsibility for his actions.
Clemons was released on a promise to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Sept. 30.
