A 66-year-old Jasonville man was arrested Aug. 1 on a warrant for two charges of neglect of a dependant after he allegedly left two juvenile children home alone for nearly five hours with one juvenile attempting to enter someone’s residence. 

Jasonville Police Department Officer Skylar Scott arrested Albert Pozzi on the warrant following a July 29 incident. At that time, Scott was dispatched to a West Arrows Estates Drive residence regarding a juvenile complaint. Upon arrival, the property owner informed Scott that a juvenile – shirtless and barefoot with dark hair – had opened the front door of her residence. She alleged she closed the door and told him he could not enter. She told the officer he then walked to the back of the home; however, she made her way to the back door to ensure he could not gain entry. She reported the juvenile left the property and walked south. 

Scott then located a juvenile standing in the front yard of a South Fry Street residence. Scott attempted to get information from the juvenile but was unsuccessful as the child was non-verbal. Scott then attempted to make contact with Pozzi but was unsuccessful. 

A short time later, a second juvenile arrived. He allegedly told Scott he was scared because he was unable to make contact with his father. He said he’d been playing at the playground at the school and had used someone’s phone to contact his dad but wasn’t able to get ahold of him. According to the probable cause affidavit, he told Scott his dad had left several hours prior and was going to a location near Terre Haute. 

A caseworker from the Department of Child Services was at the residence when Pozzi returned from Hymera. According to the probable cause, Pozzi immediately began ordering Scott and the caseworker off the property. 

While Scott talked with Pozzi, it was determined the juveniles, a 10-year-old and a 16-year-old with special needs, were left alone for more than five hours. Pozzi alleged he didn’t see a problem with leaving them at the residence. Several times, he told the officer they needed to learn to fend for themselves. According to the probable cause affidavit, he denied several times that the juvenile attempted to gain entrance to someone’s residence. 

While previously speaking with one of the juveniles, he mentioned there was no electricity in the residence, just a generator. He alleged he was unable to start the generator. When Scott informed Pozzi of that, he went inside the residence and turned it on, stating it had been out of fuel. 

His bond was set at $8,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. 

He appeared in Greene Superior Court on Aug. 2 when he entered a plea of not guilty.