A Turlock man is unlikely to get a father of the year award after he left his son at a fast food restaurant so he could go drink at a bar.

The incident began sometime around 8 p.m. Thursday when Montgomery Borba, 30, left his 9-year-old son unattended at the Jack in the Box at 100 N. Golden State Boulevard, while Borba went for drinks at Wellington’s Station at 10 E. Main St.

The 9-year-old was discovered in the 600 block of Main Street shortly after 11 p.m. by a Turlock police officer on patrol. The boy said he was walking home.

Officers found an intoxicated Borba at the bar and took him into custody on a charge of child neglect.

With the story of his arrest spreading on the Internet and television stations, Borba contacted one TV station to explain his actions. He told KKTV News 10 that he had taken one or two Ambien earlier in the day and instead of making him go to sleep, they made him go out on the town. Borba told the TV station that he didn’t remember leaving his house that night.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.