Father leaves baby behind during Charlotte apartment fire

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A baby is in the Intensive Care Unit after police said his father left him behind during a house fire in east Charlotte.

[IMAGES: Fire at east Charlotte apartment]

Firefighters said when they arrived around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the apartments on Lanecrest Drive near East W.T. Harris Boulevard they saw smoke coming from the two-story building.

Rodney Williston Jr., 21, fled the scene of the accidental stove fire because he has an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

The warrant for contributing to the delinquency of a minor was filed last month.

“I was a little shocked,” one neighbor said.

The fire took 12 minutes to control and investigators said unattended food left cooking on the stove was to blame.

Williston has not been arrested.

The baby was out of the hospital Friday and is expected to make a full recovery.

Williston’s mother said her son got his baby out of the burning home and then ran away.

Williston has also faced domestic violence charges and multiple probation violations.

The Red Cross is assisting two families that were displaced, including four adults and two children.

Fire officials said the fire caused $7,500 in damage.

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