Trial Begins for Man Accused of Leaving Child in Car

The trial for a began yesterday, Wednesday, Oct. 5 and included testimony from the woman who called the police on him, according to the Marin Independent Journal.

for leaving his young child in the car while at . He was charged with child endangerment and initially held on a $50,000 bail.

However, although the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, Tchelakov, 47, a youth soccer coach, was not able to make bail and has remained in jail, because of an ICE policy that automatically placed a no-bail hold on the Ukranian immigrant following his arrest, because he was serving a DUI probation, said the IJ.

Because of the ICE hold, Tchelakov could face deportation if found guilty.

Following the initial arrest, friends quickly came to Tchelakov's defense , arguing that he was watching his child the whole time, sitting on the patio, and simply didn't bring the baby in because the child was asleep.

A similar argument is being made at the trial.

For full trial coverage, read the article from the Marin Independent Journal detailing testimony from the San Anselmo resident that called the police and from the officers that responded.

Do you think he should be found guilty? Do you think the punishment fits the crime?