A New York City Parks Department employee gave a lighter to a 10-year-old girl who then used it to set off an M-80 that exploded and blew off one of her fingers in a Staten Island park, police and law enforcement sources said.
Joshua Moe, 24, allegedly handed over the lighter after the child asked for one inside General Douglas MacArthur Park on Jefferson Street in Dongan Hills at about 6:40 p.m., according to police.
Moments later, the girl ignited the illegal firecracker, which detonated in her hand and caused serious injuries to her left hand, including the loss of at least one finger, law enforcement sources said.
Her mother called 911, and the child was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital North for medical treatment, police said.
Moe was taken into custody at around 7:10 p.m. and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment, police said.
Authorities have not said how the girl got the firework.
Moe was awaiting arraignment Wednesday, the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office said.
The city Parks Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
