A prosecutor with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office was cited for child neglect after allegedly forgetting his baby son was asleep in his car and returning to work.

Evander R. “Van” McIver is on paid administrative leave while the Oregon Attorney General’s Office investigates a May 30 incident in which a Bend Police officer discovered a sleeping baby in a vehicle outside the Deschutes County Courthouse.

McIver, who was at work inside, was cited with one count of second-degree child neglect, a misdemeanor.

The child was unharmed and remains in “excellent health,” according to a statement from District Attorney John Hummel, who called the former U.S. Navy pilot one of his “most valued” deputy attorneys.

“My thoughts are with he and his family during this difficult time,” Hummel wrote. “I trust Attorney General (Ellen) Rosenblum will give this matter the attention it deserves and will render the appropriate decision.”

McIver called the episode the “worst mistake of my life” in a statement Hummel released Tuesday.

“As every parent of young children knows, sleep can be hard to come by,” McIver said. “Last Thursday, our morning routine changed and after dropping off two children at school, I went straight to work on autopilot and left my son in his car seat in the back of my car. Thankfully, Bend Police responded and my son is just fine … No matter the fallout with respect to me, I am beyond grateful that my son is happy and healthy.”

— Reporter: 541-383-0325, gandrews@bendbulletin.com