Boy Lights Fireworks with Cigarette; Dad Arrested

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Boy Lights Fireworks with Cigarette; Dad Arrested

By Becky Ogann

COUNCIL BLUFFS (AP) - A Council Bluffs man has been charged with child endangerment after he allegedly let his son light fireworks with a cigarette.

According to police, an officer saw an 8-year-old boy lighting fireworks in an alley Saturday night. He noticed the child was using a cigarette.

Police say the boy's father, Lewis Coleman, told the officer he gave his son the cigarette because he couldn't get a lighter to work and didn't have a punk, a special wick for lighting fireworks.

Coleman was arrested for child endangerment, because his child was left unsupervised with a lit cigarette and fireworks, and possession of fireworks. Coleman was taken to the Pottawattamie County jail and released later Saturday when he posted $2,000 bond. It wasn't clear whether he has hired an attorney.

The child was released to his mother.
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Wednesday, Jul 9 at 11:09 AM Unbelievable wrote ...

All of you complaining about a boy with fireworks and a smoke, must have really had boring childhoods! In Rural Iowa I grew up and this was the norm. we all survived.... and we are lucky enough to be here to listen to all of you complain about how kids should be babied. Now wonder there are so many bad kids out there. It wasn't considered bad when we were young. It was considered all good fun. Seriously let the kids have a good time. If they get hurt. They will learn not to do that.

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 12:01 AM annoyed wrote ...

Everyone complains about the police. If the little boy had been hurt badly then you would all be complaining about the parents and whining about the police not enforcing the fireworks laws!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 9:27 PM The Meatman wrote ...

Wow...Again, the police have upset a family's life over a petty thing..way to go cops...pat yourself on the back and keep up your Nazi ways.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 9:19 PM miss my little girl wrote ...

he goes to jail for fireworks my 9 month old little girl is living with a convicted rapest her mom knowsthis because she was the one he rape why isnt she in jail

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 9:09 PM Anonymous wrote ...

if your going 2 trash iowa, then go ahead!!!! but all they're doing is trying to keep us safe!!!!\

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 5:50 PM bill wrote ...

police state at work here what next jail time for the dad big fines geeeee

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 5:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Really? Wow! Tax dollars being wasted yet again.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 5:00 PM Anonymous wrote ...

the kid could have been hurt really bad or lost a finger or hand 8 years old isnt old enough to light fireworks isnt there an age limit for buying them in the first place?

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 4:57 PM Just a thought.... wrote ...

Maybe we can quickly pass a law to allow fireworks again in Iowa, and then we can pass out roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers and the like to 8 year olds and they can light up all they want in Cedar Rapids. Gee, if all the flooded homes all were to catch fire and burn down, then the insurance checks would come! It's a WIN-WIN situation! Lots of fun for the kiddies and adults alike! I see it as the only way to fix the mess in Cedar Rapids!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:47 PM ThanksChet wrote ...

Good thing he was outside or he could be facing some serious charges!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:42 PM un name less wrote ...

how old was he when he did that was he old engouh to not mess with it or was he old enough where he could mess with it ? im not going give name but i think that ws stuipd on hsi part

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 3:38 PM wondering wrote ...

re: uhh duh Then I guess it made the story more dramatic to say the kid was using a cigarette rather than just saying he was trying to light fireworks. If he wasn't smoking then it doesn't matter what medium he was using. Gotta go for the "kids with cigarettes" angle as well I guess.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 2:24 PM Sp1ke wrote ...

I think police officers let their kids do that where I'm from...

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 2:24 PM old guy wrote ...

By letter of the law the officer was right. But I think that could of been handled at his level. An officers only needs to point out to you that this is incorrect and that should be enough. Was it wrong to allow this to happen. yes. I attended a physics class at UofI with a nine year old and was amazed at what this kid could do with some of the experments. Good thing there were no police around. I am sure his Honor has a clue and will give this the attention that it deserves. God Bless.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 2:17 PM uhh duh wrote ...

*wondering* yes they would have been arrested if it was a lighter or match because in iowa fireworks are illegal, because our state is a fun sucker

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 2:07 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Man you can't have any fun anymore.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 1:17 PM Anonymous wrote ...

"Jay"....that was hilarious. I agree:0)

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 12:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Thank God it wasn't in Pierson, where the mayor would have shot both of them.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 12:22 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I think somebody just gave Jeff Foxworthy a new "You might be a redneck" line.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 12:18 PM Down in Missouri, wrote ...

guess that explains a lot...........

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 12:10 PM wondering wrote ...

would he have been arrested if the kid was using a lighter or a match?

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:40 AM Anonymous wrote ...

smoking ban, duh! but it is hard to light explosives with dip. as far as * years old, I was a pack a day smoker at that age.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:38 AM Anonymous wrote ...

What a waste of tax dollars

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:36 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Down in Missouri?? STFU you redneck, and go find some shoes.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:27 AM parent of an 8 year old wrote ...

That child has NO business lighting fireworks!! Way to go police!!

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:16 AM Jay wrote ...

Unfortunately they breed and they walk among us.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 11:02 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Wow can you say over reacting by the police? Down in Missouri you see that everywhere.

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