COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A man has been accused of shoplifting and stuffing the items into a diaper bag -- with his baby in tow.
NBC 4's Lauren Diedrich GOT ANSWERS on a story that you'll only see on NBC 4
That fact didn't make a difference in the eyes of the law, though.
Derrick Buell, 27, was accused of stealing from an East Broad Street Meijer store Wednesday, April 1.
He was arrested and remains jailed.
The crime doesn't sound unusual -- until you find out authorities said he had a baby with him.
It wasn't the first time Buell used the tactic, either, according to prosecutors.
A grandfather spoke exclusively with NBC 4 about the alleged crimes Buell has committed with his grandchildren in tow.
About six months ago Buell was in trouble with the law for shoplifting.
He allegedly stole hundreds of dollars of fishing equipment from a Meijer on Cleveland Avenue.
His two young children, who both are younger than age 2, were there.
"He shouldn't be able to run around and endanger my babies like that," Ken Damron said.
"This individual is definitely not going to become father of the year," Assistant City Prosecutor Bill Hedrick said about Buell.
Damron said he wants answers because he feels the penalties aren't tough enough.
Buell faces misdemeanor crimes and none of them have to do with child endangerment.
"People will do anything for money these days … people should be held accountable," Damron said.
Diedrich went to Hedrick to get answers.
Hedrick said in order to get a child-endangerment charge, one must physically harm the child. Stealing in front of them or using them in the crime is not illegal per Ohio law.
Hedrick did say he'd support a change to the current legislation.
Damron said he hopes to change that.
"I'll do anything in the world to keep them safe -- keep them away from this guy," he said.
NBC 4 requested an interview with Buell to get his side of the story and is waiting on a decision.
Buell has denied previous requests for jailhouse interviews.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
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