NYC Parks employee gives lighter to child, leading to M-80 explosion and finger loss

Police reports state that Joshua Moe, a 24-year-old employee of the New York City Parks Department, provided a lighter to a 10-year-old girl in General Douglas MacArthur Park on Jefferson Street in Dongan Hills at approximately 6:40 p.m. The child used the lighter to ignite an illegal M-80 firecracker, which exploded and inflicted serious injuries to her left hand, including the loss of at least one finger. Her mother called 911, and the victim was taken to Staten Island University Hospital North for treatment.

Moe was detained about half an hour later and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment. His arraignment was scheduled for the following Wednesday, while the Parks Department has not responded to comment requests.