Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Police say mom let son, 3, pump gas

Police say mom let son, 3, pump gas

Police are lodging criminal charges against a Lancaster city woman for allowing her 3-year-old son to pump gas into her car, investigators said.

Theresa Moran Camara, 46, of North Reservoir Street, is being charged by Manheim Township police with endangering the welfare of a child.

According to police, officers were called at 9:17 p.m. on Jan. 19 to the Giant to Go at 2339 Oregon Pike for a report of a toddler pumping gas into a car.

Witnesses said the child removed the nozzle from the car without releasing the handle, spraying him with gasoline.

The car had left the gas station before police arrived, but witnesses gave police its license plate number.

Police traced the license plate to Moran Camara and determined that the child seen pumping gas was her 3-year-old son.

Charges are being filed before District Judge David Miller.

Moran Camara could not immediately be reached Tuesday for comment.

Sgt. Thomas Rudzinski of the Manheim Township police said he is not aware of any laws governing the minimum age for pumping gas.

A manager at the Giant to Go referred all questions to Giant's corporate headquarters. A spokesperson there did not immediately return a reporter's phone call seeking comment.

preilly@lnpnews.com

n46-year-old Lancaster city resident charged with endangering the welfare of her child.