A Belle Vernon man has been charged with reckless endangerment after his 9-year-old son exploded an M-80 firework in his hand, according to Southwest Regional Police.

The boy was badly injured and taken to Children's Hospital, where he was treated and released over the weekend.

Brandon C. Barcus Sr., 37, of Water Street, was visiting his son's mother's house on Grand Street around 5:30 p.m. Saturday when the incident occurred.

Southwest Regional Police Chief John Hartman said the mother left the house to get food, and Mr. Barcus emptied the contents of his pockets onto the living room coffee table, leaving two M-80s, two packs of conventional firecrackers and a lighter within reach of the child.

Mr. Barcus left the room for a couple of minutes, during which time his son lit one of the M-80s and it exploded in his hand.

"One can only assume to understand that kids will be kids," Chief Hartman said. "The child sees this lying there, unattended, and hurts himself. ... I think clearly it's negligent, criminally negligent as far as we're concerned."

Mr. Barcus was charged with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. A date for his preliminary hearing has not been set.