On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at approximately 11:12 a.m., the Lancaster Township Police Department responded to the Giant Food Store, located at 1360 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster Township, for a report of an unattended child left unsupervised inside a vehicle in the store parking lot.

Upon arrival, officers located a 13‑month‑old child inside an unlocked vehicle. The vehicle was not running, and the child was clothed in attire that was not suitable for the weather conditions.

The child’s father, identified as Jerel Alston, returned to the vehicle approximately 30 minutes after police were notified.

Based on the facts and circumstances of the investigation, Alston was taken into custody and charged with one (1) count of Endangering the Welfare of Children (Felony 2).

Alston was subsequently released on $10,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., before the Honorable Mary Mongiovi‑Sponaugle, Magisterial District Court 02‑2‑03, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

***All charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.***