News

9/6/2019 - 9/6/19- Arrest of Wojcich "Albert" Nowak - Risk of Injury to a Minor - Leaving a Child

NEWS RELEASE

Date: September 6, 2019

Contact: Captain Ronald Smith

Phone: (203) 230-4029

PIO#: 19-116

On September 4, 2019 at approximately 4:00p.m. Hamden Police responded to the area of Dudley Street and Saint Mary Street on the report of a “missing 5 year-old boy.” Central Communications advised Officer Andrew Lipford that her son did not return home after school. Her son, a student at Shepard Glen School, has a designated bus stop located at Dudley Street and Saint Mary Street.

Investigation revealed that the 5 year-olds father was waiting for him to return from school at his designated bus stop. When the bus arrived, his son wasn’t on it. He subsequently questioned the First Student Bus Driver Wojcich “Albert” Nowak. Nowak advised him that his son was on the bus. The boy’s father searched the bus, but could not locate his son. Several students advised him that his son had exited the bus at another stop, to use the bathroom.

Shortly thereafter, Officer Lipford was advised by the boy’s mother, that her son’s father located him walking in the area of Dixwell Avenue and the New Haven town line with an adult. Hamden Fire Rescue responded and evaluated the child. The child was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for further evaluation.

Officer Lipford interviewed Nowak about the incident. Nowak advised Officer Lipford that he had asked a 6th grade student to “come to the front of the bus” and help “separate” the 5 year-old and another child “from playing for the duration of the bus ride.” The 6th grader then advised Nowak that the 5 year-old needed to use the bathroom. Upon arriving at the bus stop located at Easton Street and Alstrum Street, the 6th grader told Nowak that the 5 year olds residence was close by. Nowak stated that he subsequently allowed the 5 year-old to exit the bus, accompanied by the 6th grader.

Nowak returned to the First Student Bus Terminal. He then “recruited a co-worker” to assist him in locating the 5 year-old. They then “recruited several of the children who he had already dropped off on the bus route” to help locate the child.
Hamden Police arrested Wojcich “Albert” Nowak, 54, of 3220 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. He was charged with Risk of Injury to a Minor (Leaving a Child Unsupervised). Nowak, who was released on a written promise to appear, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on September 18th.