Truck tows minivan with baby left alone inside

WATERVILLE – The city has suspended its contract with a towing company that towed an illegally parked minivan in which a 13-month-old baby had been left alone inside.

The suspension Wednesday came as police were reviewing an incident the evening before in which a driver for Interstate Towing towed a Dodge Caravan from a fire lane at Elm Plaza.

Police withheld the name of the baby’s mother, who was driving the van. She told police she had gone into a bookstore to buy a magazine and left the child in the vehicle.

Police quoted her as saying she ran out of the store and chased the tow truck through a downtown parking lot and onto Upper Maine Street before she was able to stop the driver. The child was unhurt.

Towing company owner Philip Sweet said drivers are instructed not to tow vehicles with people or animals inside. He said the driver, Jon Loiselle, could not see inside the van because it was dark and the vehicle had tinted windows.

Police Chief John Morris said he planned to have the district attorney review the case to see if charges should be filed against Interstate.

Sweet said if he’s charged, police should also take action against the mother who left her child unattended.

Morris said he understands that people may question the mother’s decision.

“In my opinion, the mother was wrong for leaving the infant in the car; however, what she did does not rise to the level of criminal behavior,” Morris said.

“However, we’re in communication with the DA who is reviewing the issue of both the driver and the mother,” the chief added.

He said Interstate’s suspension will remain in force pending completion of the review.

Sweet said his company was being treated unfairly.

“Theoretically, they put me out of the towing business until they review it,” Sweet said. “I think I’m being singled out; I really do.”