Police say Iowa City man passed out while alone with children

An Iowa City man was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment with no injury and first-degree harassment after authorities say his ex-wife found him passed out on the floor of her home Sunday while their two children were in his care.

Reports indicate that Chad A. Petersen, 44, of 1631 Muscatine Avenue Apt. B, was at his ex-wife's home to watch their two children, ages 4 and 6, while she was away on Sunday afternoon.

After returning home, Petersen's ex-wife allegedly found him passed out on the floor between the living room and kitchen while a tub full of household cleaning supplies and three pairs of sharp scissors were on the floor.

According to the woman, the children, one of whom was wearing only underwear and the other naked, had been running around the home unsupervised. The woman also told authorities that it took her several minutes to wake Petersen up.

Once Petersen was awake, she said she told him to leave the residence and take a taxi home, but he refused.

According to the woman, Petersen became verbally abusive when she told him that she was calling the police, allegedly saying he was "going to kill" her. She then took the children to a neighbor's home and called authorities.

Police at the scene reported Petersen had slurred speech, poor balance, and bloodshot, watery eyes.

Petersen allegedly acknowledged that he had been drinking, but declined to say what, Iowa City police said.

Petersen was being held at the Johnson County Jail on Monday morning.

Child endangerment without injury and first-degree harassment are aggravated misdemeanors.