2 Youths Accused of Endangering Boy, 4

Two El Cajon youths were arrested Friday night on suspicion of driving 40 m.p.h. while one stood on the car’s rear bumper and held a 4-year-old boy in his arms.

The child was not hurt.

Steve J. Shaffer, 19, was held on suspicion of child endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license, police said. Alvin G. Snowden III, 19, who police said was holding the child, was held on suspicion of child endangerment. Both were booked into County Jail.

Police said the two youths were baby-sitting the boy and were returning him to his mother, Melanie Sullivan, who was visiting at their home on Van Houten Avenue.

Police stopped the car at 5:20 p.m. in the 500 block of Van Houten, a residential street, as it was traveling 40 m.p.h. in a 25-m.p.h. zone, police spokeswoman Sheri Naumann said.

Police said Snowden was standing on the car’s bumper, holding on to the car with one hand and clutching the child under the other arm.

“They didn’t give any reason for doing it,” Naumann said. “Thank God, the child wasn’t hurt.”

The boy’s first name was not available. He lives with his mother east of El Cajon, Naumann said.