A Cleveland father is facing serious charges after allegedly leaving his infant child alone in a car while he went inside a local casino to gamble. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, when security at the casino noticed a car parked in the lot with a baby left unattended inside.
According to reports, the infant was only a few months old and was found crying and in distress. Security immediately contacted local law enforcement, who arrived on the scene and forced entry into the car to rescue the child. The baby was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation and is said to be in good condition.
The father, identified as 34-year-old James Smith, was located inside the casino and arrested on charges of child endangerment and neglect. Smith reportedly told authorities that he had only intended to leave the child in the car for a short period of time while he went inside to place a few bets, but lost track of time while inside the casino.
This incident has sparked outrage and concern among the local community, with many calling for harsh punishment for Smith. “Leaving a defenseless baby alone in a car is completely unacceptable and irresponsible,” said one concerned citizen. “He should be held accountable for his actions.”
Child protection services have also been contacted and are conducting their own investigation into the incident. The baby has since been placed in the care of a responsible family member.
Smith is currently being held at the local police station pending further investigation. He is scheduled to appear in court next week to face the charges against him.
In the meantime, the community is rallying together to ensure the safety and well-being of the infant in question. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible parenting and the consequences of neglecting the needs of a child.