NYC parks worker helped 10-year-old girl light M80 that blew off her finger: sources

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-12 17:42:49 | Updated at 2026-08-12 18:49:16 1 hour ago

A Parks Department worker handed a 10-year-old girl a lighter she used to ignite a M-80 that blew off her finger in a Staten Island park, cops and sources said.

Joshua Moe, 24, allegedly obliged when the girl asked him for a lighter inside General Douglas MacArthur Park on Jefferson Street in Dongan Hills around 6:40 p.m., police said.

M-80 firecracker with a green fuse on a wooden surface.Joshua Moe, 24, is pictured on Saturday, June 11, 2011, in General Douglas MacArthur Park on Jefferson Street in Dongan Hills. Wikimedia / FastilyClone

The child then lit the illegal firecracker which exploded and left her with severe injuries to her left hand – including at least one finger blown off, law enforcement sources said.

The girl’s mom called 911 and she was taken to Staten Island University Hospital North for treatment, cops said.

Moe was arrested around 7:10 p.m. and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment, police said.

It was not immediately clear how the girl obtained the firework.

Moe’s arraignment was pending Wednesday, according to Staten Island prosecutors.

The city Parks Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

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