An Elyria man has been arrested and charged after allegedly leaving a young child alone in a car while he was inside the JACK Casino in downtown Cleveland. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among community members, as the safety and well-being of the child were put at risk.
The man, identified as 37-year-old James Smith, was reportedly inside the casino for several hours while the child, believed to be around 5 years old, was left unattended in the car. Despite the soaring temperatures outside, Smith allegedly left the child in the vehicle with the windows rolled up, putting the child in a potentially dangerous situation.
Cleveland police were alerted to the situation after concerned onlookers spotted the child alone in the car and immediately called 911. Officers arrived at the scene and safely removed the child from the vehicle before locating Smith inside the casino. He was promptly arrested and charged with child endangerment.
“This is a clear case of negligence and disregard for the safety of a young child,” said Cleveland Police Chief Michael Johnson. “Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, especially for an extended period of time, is incredibly dangerous and can have serious consequences.”
Smith was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Cuyahoga County Jail. The child has been placed in the care of Child Protective Services while the investigation into the incident continues.
The incident has sparked a discussion about the importance of responsible parenting and the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. According to KidsandCars.org, an average of 39 children die from heat-related deaths each year after being left in hot cars. The organization urges parents and caregivers to always check the backseat before leaving a vehicle to ensure no child is left behind.
As the case against Smith moves forward, community members are hopeful that justice will be served and that incidents like this will serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and responsibility when it comes to the safety of children. Police are urging anyone who witnesses a child left unattended in a vehicle to immediately contact authorities to prevent any potential harm or tragedy.