North Carolina officer accused of leaving child locked in car outside bar

WILMINGTON, N.C. — North Carolina authorities are conducting an internal investigation into a police lieutenant accused of leaving his 8-year-old daughter in a car while he was inside a bar.

News outlets report Wilmington Police Lt. Matthew Malone is under investigation after a 911 caller told authorities a child was locked inside a car asking for help.

New Hanover County Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Jerry Brewer says the child was naked and wrapped in a blanket, while Malone and his wife were inside the bar. The parents told deputies the child's clothes got wet, so they took her to the car, removed her clothes, wrapped her in a blanket and returned to the bar.

Brewer says officials determined the incident didn't violate any laws.

Police spokeswoman Linda Thompson declined to comment because the investigation is ongoing.

Associated Press