D.A. won’t charge Costa Mesa dad

A man arrested by Irvine police on suspicion of endangering his daughter by leaving her at a community college was released because the Orange County district attorney’s office declined to prosecute, jail records show.

Jason Richard Buchea, 33, of Costa Mesa, was arrested Monday on suspicion of leaving his 11-month-old daughter in a car seat in the parking lot at Irvine Valley College, but he was released from jail Wednesday.

“I can tell you they’ve reviewed the case and … chosen not to move ahead with prosecution,” Irvine Police Cmdr. Matt Mahoney said.

A D.A. spokeswoman said the office reviewed the case but determined they couldn’t prove criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt and the incident appeared to be an accident.

Mahoney said there was sufficient probable cause for an arrest.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30