By Angela Hong
13Wham
Holley, N.Y. — A Holley EMT is accused of leaving his two children home alone while he answered an emergency call for a diabetic problem.
Holley Police Chief William Murphy tells 13WHAM that Richard Fiorito left his 4-year daughter and 2-year-old son alone for about 20 to 30 minutes on Friday, March 18. His children were sleeping.
Fiorito’s estranged wife told a police officer to check on her children at their home.
The police chief says the officer knocked on the Fiorito residence but no one answered. Police then reached Fiorito on the phone.
“At that time, he called us back and said there was someone at the house with the two children,” Murphy says. “We waited for him to get back because no one would answer the door. He came in and there was a female who was over the age of 18 that was at the residence.”
But police say that woman wasn’t at the home the whole time and Fiorito is now charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Murphy says even if Fiorito meant well by going out on that call, he should have known better.
“Being a professional with Holley Ambulance and the fire department, he should know that anything could happen with children and he should have stayed there.”
Former Holley mayor and Holley volunteer EMT Daniel Schiavone says Fiorito shouldn’t have left his children but understands why he left.
“I think he used some poor judgment and those kids were pretty young,” Schivaone says. “He should have stayed home, but I understand that Holley Ambulance really has a hard time getting a volunteer crew together. I’m sure he felt very pressured. I know what it’s like to have to sit at home and listen to those calls for help come over the radio over and over again and feel like you can help and want to leave the house.”
Fiorito is currently suspended from his post as the deputy of operations for Holley Ambulance pending an internal investigation.
Fiorito also is employed as the Hulberton deputy fire chief. There is no word yet on his status with their fire department.
Republished with permission from 13Wham.com