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Dad faces neglect charge after 2-year-old found alone

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. – A 2-year-old girl was found in an empty apartment after being left unattended for 24 hours, and her father now faces charges.

Prince George’s CountyPolice spokesman Cpl. Evan Baxter said Wednesday that Anthony Venson, 24, has been charged reckless endangerment, unattended child and neglect of a minor.

Police went to an apartment in the 6900 block of Walker Mill Road to find the girl in the bedroom.

Police say the girl was “hungry and cold,” but otherwise not hurt.

Police spokesman Cpl. Henry Tippett says officers were tipped off when the girl’s mother called them. Police say they received a call about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The mother was currently in the hospital and told officers she was concerned about her daughter’s welfare. She was unable to reach the child’s father.

Tippett tells Channel 7 when officers arrived they found the child “in a bedroom that was in disarray.”

“The child was only wearing a sweater and a diaper. The diaper appeared to be heavily soiled which had been on her for quite some time,” Tippett said.

WTOP’s Ari Ashe contributed to this report. Follow Ari and

(Copyright 2011 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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