A Texarkana, Ark., man caught inhaling intoxicating fumes from an aerosol can while in charge of two young children is facing a child endangerment charge in Miller County.
Jonathan Paul Harris, 34, is accused of breathing in the contents of a can of Ultra Duster compressed air Jan. 20 as he sat parked in his Jeep Cherokee in front of the Dollar General store on East Street.
Two children, ages 6 and 8 years, became alarmed when Harris passed out and they couldn’t wake him, according to a probable cause affidavit.
A Texarkana, Ark., police officer noticed a man slumped over in his seat when he began walking toward the Jeep. Harris allegedly sat up, grabbed the can of compressed air, and began sniffing fumes as the officer approached.
Harris was allegedly unaware that his children were gone and that two of his car doors stood ajar.
Harris has been charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in Miller County, an offense punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and up to six years in prison. Harris’ case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson and is scheduled for an arraignment hearing next month.
