An Armstrong County man, charged with letting his girlfriend's year-old daughter drive his pickup truck while sitting on his lap, was entered into the county Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program in Butler County Court on Tuesday.

Keith W. Gordon, 24, of Parker was placed on 12 months' probation in the ARD program on charges of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, summary disorderly conduct and not using a safety seat by Judge Timothy McCune.

He also was ordered to attend parenting classes and complete any required counseling.

State police filed the charges after an incident on Main Street in Bruin on April 13. They stem from an investigation that began when the girl suffered a broken arm and a cut on the head. Police said the toddler fell out of the vehicle after she was placed unrestrained on the passenger side floor of the moving truck, grabbed the handle and opened the door, tumbling out.

Police said Gordon admitted that he frequently allows the child to sit on his lap and drive from the post office in Bruin to their house.

During an interview, police said Gordon admitted that he had placed the child on the passenger floor and took over sole possession of the steering wheel to turn into his driveway, when the toddler pulled the door handle and fell out onto the road.

A police affidavit noted that Gordon had a car seat in the truck but he chose not to use it.

Following arraignment, he was released on his own recognizance.