HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio (TCN) — A 35-year-old man is accused of locking a toddler with special needs in a bedroom and leaving the child alone for hours.

According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, on April 8, Joshua Merz allegedly left a 2-year-old child alone for at least seven hours while he went to work. A neighbor reportedly discovered the child and called law enforcement. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office subsequently responded and noticed the home was “filthy and potentially dangerous.”

On April 16, prosecutors announced that Merz was indicted on two counts of child endangerment. If convicted, he faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison.

The indictment alleges Merz “recklessly physically restrained” the child in a “cruel manner or for a prolonged period, which restraint was excessive under the circumstances and a created a substantial risk of serious physical harm.”

In a statement, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said, “There is never a reason to leave a 2-year-old child home alone. It’s our job to make sure those who cannot speak for themselves are protected. And that’s exactly what we will do in this case.”