Father charged for child’s time outs

NORTH CANAAN — A local man was arrested on felony charges last week, accused of locking his son in the entry to the basement of their home.

Andrew Fallon, 46, was charged with intentional cruelty to a child, risk of injury to a child and first-degree unlawful restraint.

North Canaan Resident State Trooper Jason St. John took Fallon into custody on a warrant and transported him to Bantam Superior Court for an arraignment Oct. 2. Fallon was released on a $25,000 bond.

St. John said he could only confirm what is in the warrant. A complaint was made by the son in January. He was 12 years old at the time. St. John said the complaint was initially filed with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). It was referred to Connecticut DCF, which investigated and made a referral to the State Police.

According to St. John, DCF found no other issues in the home, which Fallon shares with his girlfriend and two other sons. There is some evidence in regard to the complaint of a series of “time out” events in which the complainant spent varying amounts of time confined to the area between the exterior and interior basement doors.

Fallon is due back in court Oct. 9, when he is expected to present a plea in the case.