HONESDALE -- A father cleared in the death of his baby earlier this year is in trouble again.
Keith Mullin of Honesdale is accused of leaving his 18-month-old son in a car while he went to a bar.
Troopers charged Keith Mullin with child endangerment on Monday after the young boy was found soaking wet inside a running vehicle parked outside a bar early Saturday morning.
When we stopped by Mullin's home on Ridge Street in Honesdale, his wife and three young sons were home.
A close family member wanted us to hide her identity but fears for the safety of the boys after investigators say Mullin left the toddler alone while he drank and argued with his wife for the better part of an hour.
"We don't want any harm done to the children. We want them to have healthy lives and that's not happening right now."
According to court papers, Mullin got to the bar on Main Street in Honesdale after midnight. His wife was already inside. Troopers say their 1-year-old boy was found in a vehicle parked outside, soaked from the rain because a window was left open.
Back in May, the couple's son Channing Mullin died after he was smothered by his father while they both slept. The boy wasn't even a month old. His death was ruled an accident.
Now, family members believe there's a clear pattern of problems putting the children at risk.
"It's very likely something bad could happen soon again. There's nothing to stop that at this moment."
The children's mother tells Newswatch 16 that Keith Mullin is a good father when he's not drinking. However, concerned family members want authorities to do something more than give custody to the boys' grandmother.
"How long does this have to go on before someone else has to get hurt before the kids are taken care of properly?"
Family members spoke with Newswatch 16 as Mullin was leaving the state police barracks and say this is all one big mistake.
“This is the first time this ever happened. They're grieving their other child that died. It’s just a big accident.”
The toddler is OK and was released into the grandparents’ care.