Grandfather was arrested after paying a homeless woman to care for his granddaughter

(FOX40.COM) – A grandfather was arrested Sunday after giving a homeless woman $20 to watch his granddaughter while he reportedly visited a nearby bar, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

At 7:45 p.m., officers responded to the 5300 block of Auburn Boulevard after reports came in that a man was asking people for help finding his 7-year-old granddaughter, who had been kidnapped.

When officers met with the man, they determined he was “heavily intoxicated” because he told them he gave a homeless woman $20 so she could take his daughter to a nearby thrift store.

After giving the woman the money, the man entered a bar where he stayed for about four hours.

The sheriff’s office used its helicopter, unmanned aerial systems and K9 units to help search for the woman and girl.

After hearing the loudspeaker announcements from the helicopter, the woman returned to the parking lot with the girl, where she said the man gave her money to take his grandchild to a nearby thrift store.

The girl confirmed the woman’s story and was medically examined by the Sacramento Fire Department as a precaution.

The man was arrested and faces child endangerment and other charges. He faces a $75,000 bond and will appear in court on Wednesday.

After being released by Child Protective Services, the child returned home to his aunt, who had sole custody of him.