A 28-year-old Norco man with outstanding warrants has been arrested and jailed following an incident involving a 4-year-old child and the three “good Samaritans” who helped him, according to Capt. John Hocking, commander of the Avalon Sheriff’s Station.
Hocking said he and deputies were traveling Friday night from Avalon to Two Harbors to check on the crowds at the Buccaneer Days festival when they were stopped in Little Harbor by a radio call made by good Samaritans.
Three women camping at Little Harbor ran across a 4-year-old that appeared to have no adult supervision and they thought he was in danger because of the rough terrain in the area.
Hocking said the women befriended the little boy named Jett, gave him food and shelter before calling the substation.
Deputies were quick on the scene because they were on the way to Two Harbors to patrol the Buccaneer Festival, he said.
The boy then directed him to his dad, who was camping at nearby Shark Harbor.
The child told deputies his father needed help. Hocking said when he and deputies arrived, Joseph Scollard was “passed out, dead drunk” on a table next to an empty bottle of rum.
Hocking said it was obvious the boy was in danger, so police immediately placed him in their protective custody.
Upon further investigation, said Hocking, it was determined that Scollard had an extensive criminal record and that he was wanted on a $100,000 bench warrant related to elder abuse.
Since there was only one patrol car, the dad and son were both put into the same car as they eventually made their way back to Avalon.
Hocking said the child rode in the front seat and his dad, who was charged with the outstanding warrant, public drunkenness, threatening the lives of the deputies and child endangerment, rode in the back.
The child kept telling his dad to “be nice to the police” or that they would call more officers “like last time,” said Hocking.
Eventually, Scollard was transported to L.A. County jail, where he is awaiting $100,000 bail.
Hocking said the child was immediately taken out of Avalon on the last ferry and taken to Long Beach, escorted by a deputy, to be transferred to L.A. Child and Family Services. Eventually, said Hocking, the child was safely re-united with his biological mother, who currently lives in Palm Desert and is separated from Scollard.
Hocking heaped praise on the three good Samaritans, whom he did not identify, but said they deserve much credit for what they did to help this boy survive a harrowing ordeal.
To report child abuse or neglect in Los Angeles County, call the Child Protection Hotlineat 800-540-4000.
