A man police say left his infant child home alone while he was drinking in central Nelson has been charged with abandoning the child.
Police say they were investigating a domestic incident when they found a 20-month-old asleep in the house.
A short time later, they say, the father was found drinking at a bar.
The 36-year-old man was to appear in the Nelson District Court on Thursday to face charges of abandoning a child and common assault.
The police say they have referred the case to Child, Youth and Family and the child is being cared for by other family members.
