A judge released an Islip father accused of leaving his 1- and 4-year-old children alone in a cold SUV without bail, saying it was a "situation that took a little longer than it should" and that it seemed to be nothing more than "bad judgment."

Christopher Evans, 41, was freed after being arraigned on child endangerment charges in Central Islip.

Evans was arrested Wednesday evening in Lake Grove after police say he left his 4-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son alone in a car for 20 minutes -- with no heat on when it was 35 degrees outside.

In court Thursday, Evans' attorney, James Misiano, told the judge that Evans also has a foster child and was at the Lake Grove office to drop one of the kids at a psychotherapist appointment. Misiano says it didn't take 20 minutes and that Evans was on his way back to the car when the therapist stopped him to ask a question.

Chris O'Donnell is the person who discovered the children in the car. He says the car was locked, and he shouted to the 4-year-old through the window that he was looking for her parents.

In addition to releasing Evans without bail, the judge said she would not make Evans sign an order of protection to stay away from his children.