LONDON, Ky. (WKYT) - Sheriff's Deputies said they got a 911 call yesterday evening about a small child unattended out on the blacktop of Lily Road. When they showed up, they said the child hadn't gotten far.

"Within three feet or less of a busily-traveled road," said Laurel County sheriff's deputy Gilbert Acciardo.

Deputies said the child's father, Jonathan Davis, came outside while they were on the scene and was under the influence of drugs. They arrested him, charging him with public intoxication and endangering the welfare of a minor. They said they also arrested the child's mother on an unrelated bench warrant.

"If the adults there cannot take care of the child, then we'll make an arrest and put the child where it can be supervised," said Dep. Acciardo.

People who live in the area said they're always careful with their own children along this road.

"I've got a five-year-old son and if I get out with him, I don't let him get near the road or anything without being with him. If I cross it to check the mail, I hold his hand and everything. You can't hardly cross this road most days without a vehicle going by. It's a dangerous road," said Alan Kilburn.

Officials said the child is safe with a family member, lucky to have survived the incident.

"This is a situation where very easily a vehicle could have been coming down through there and a four-year-old child is not going to realize the danger of an approaching vehicle. It could have very easily been tragic," said Dep. Acciardo.

WKYT reached out to Davis for his side of the story, but he declined the interview request.