A Dunnellon man abandoned a 7-year-old girl at a crash scene and went home, deputies say.

  • Joshua Adam Townsend charged with child neglect
  • He and 7-year-old were driving to McDonald's before crash, child says
  • After crash, he left girl in running truck, went home, deputies say

Joshua Adam Townsend, 34, was charged with one count of child neglect.

Marion County Sheriff's deputies on Sunday were called to the 21700th block of SW 88th Lane Road, where they said they found a 7-year-old girl wandering the roadway, screaming and crying. A person who had stopped to help her was also there.

They also found an abandoned truck just a couple of blocks away at SW 217th Court Road and SW 88th Place Road.

According to the child, Townsend was driving her to McDonald's when they crashed into a pole. While Townsend had gotten out to inspect the damage, the girl fell asleep in the truck. When she awoke, she said, Townsend was gone, but the truck was still running.

Deputies went to Townsend's home, where they found him. He couldn't explain why he left the truck and child, they said.

Townsend was taken to Marion County Jail, where he bonded out.