Cops: Man left child, 1, in car that got towed

DENVER - A man in Denver allegedly left his 1-year-old in a car in an illegal parking spot long enough that the car - and the child - got towed, reports CBS Denver.

Denver police say Thomas Benton parked the car last weekend in a space where nighttime parking was prohibited. After 40 minutes, the car was towed, according to the station.

After the car was towed, police say, Benton called them to report his 1-year-old son was sleeping in the car.

Police reportedly checked with tow companies and were able to track down the car, and, more importantly, the child.

Benton was issued a "wrongs to minor" ticket for his role in the incident.

Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson told CBS Denver it doesn't matter how long the child was left alone in the car - he should not have been left alone at all.

"It doesn't matter if it's 10 minutes. A car can be gone in 60 seconds. It was long enough for his car to be taken. So it doesn't matter how long it happens," Jackson said. "It's a situation where a child was in danger."

The child is now in the custody of a family friend, reports the station.