An Indiana woman is facing charges of child neglect after allegedly leaving her two young children alone in a running car while she spent hours gambling at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on Monday evening when casino security officers noticed a blue sedan parked in the casino parking lot with two children, aged 5 and 7, inside. The car’s engine was still running, and the windows were slightly cracked open.
Officers immediately located the owner of the vehicle, identified as 33-year-old Angela Thompson, inside the casino. Thompson was reportedly engrossed in a game of poker and allegedly told officers that she had only been inside the casino for a short period of time.
However, surveillance footage later revealed that Thompson had been gambling for nearly three hours while her children were left unattended in the car. The temperature outside was in the mid-80s, and the children were visibly sweating when officers arrived on the scene.
Thompson was promptly escorted out of the casino and placed under arrest for child neglect. The Department of Child Services was also notified and took custody of the children, who were later determined to be unharmed.
This is not the first time Thompson has been in trouble with the law. She has a prior criminal record that includes charges of theft and drug possession.
Casino officials have since released a statement expressing their concern for the well-being of the children and emphasizing that they have a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior on their premises.
Thompson is currently being held at the Lake County Jail on a bond of $5,000. She is expected to appear in court later this week to face the charges against her. If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison.
The incident has sparked outrage among the local community, with many calling for harsher penalties for parents who put their children in danger for their own selfish pursuits. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible parenting and the consequences of neglecting the welfare of children.
