NYC park worker allegedly approached by 10yo holding a firework. Then he took out a lighter and ignited it in her hands: ‘I wanted to make them happy’

A horrific accident at a local park on Staten Island, New York, left a young child with catastrophic, life-altering injuries. On Tuesday evening, Aug. 11, the otherwise tranquil atmosphere at General Douglas MacArthur Park was shattered by a powerful explosion near the public restroom facilities.

According to People, the incident centered around an interaction between Joshua Moe, 24, and a 10-year-old girl. Moe is an employee of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and according to a criminal complaint, his judgment in the workplace is now being called into question.

Reportedly, the young girl was exploring the park grounds when she discovered an unexploded firework that appeared to be an M-80. Unaware of the extreme danger, the child approached Moe and asked him for a lighter.

The parks worker lit up the firework himself

Rather than confiscating the dangerous explosive, Moe is said to have taken out a lighter and ignited the firework while it was still in the 10-year-old’s grip. The firework exploded almost immediately.

Bystanders throughout MacArthur Park reported hearing a blast echo from the park’s bathroom area. Moments later, witnesses watched in shock as the young girl ran out of the area after being seriously injured in the explosion.

Responding law enforcement officers from the New York City Police Department quickly arrived at the chaotic scene. Recognizing the severity of her injuries, officers immediately provided emergency first aid to stabilize her. Emergency medical personnel then rushed the child to Staten Island University Hospital, where doctors worked to stabilize her condition.

The doctors were able to save her life, but the physical damage she sustained was severe and permanent. The blast caused the girl to lose several fingers. According to a family member, the girl also suffered serious burns across her body. Furthermore, the force of the explosion and flying debris caused significant injuries to her face, and doctors fear she may have completely lost sight in one of her eyes.

As the medical team treated the child, police focused their attention on the park employee. Joshua Moe was taken into custody and formally booked on multiple criminal charges, including reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.

Moe was eventually questioned about his decision to light an M-80 explosive while it was in the hands of a child. Reportedly, Moe told an officer at the scene that he “didn’t think this would happen” and that he had one goal — he said, “I wanted to make them happy and have fun.”

Major city entities have kept their next steps confidential

The NYPD’s investigation remains highly active as detectives search for additional witnesses and potential surveillance footage from around MacArthur Park. Meanwhile, major city entities — including the New York State Unified Court System and the N.Y.C. Department of Parks and Recreation — have kept their findings and next steps confidential. The departments have not even given a statement about whether Moe is still employed by the city.

The court granted Moe a release as his case continues to proceed through the system.