Cleveland, OH – Police in Cleveland were alerted to a distressing sight at the JACK Casino on Friday afternoon when a concerned citizen reported seeing a baby left alone in a parked car. Officers quickly responded to the scene and found a 1-year-old boy crying and sweating profusely in the backseat of the vehicle.
The temperature outside was nearing 90 degrees, causing the inside of the car to become dangerously hot. Police immediately called for medical assistance and broke a window to rescue the child from the sweltering car. The baby was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation and is expected to make a full recovery.
According to witnesses, the car had been parked in the casino’s parking lot for at least an hour before the infant was discovered. Casino security footage showed the child’s mother leaving the car and entering the casino without the baby. She was later identified as 24-year-old Melissa Thompson.
Thompson was located inside the casino and arrested on charges of child endangerment. She told police that she had forgotten about her son in the car while she was inside gambling. Thompson reportedly showed no remorse for her actions and seemed more concerned about being caught than the well-being of her child.
This incident has sparked outrage and concern among the Cleveland community, with many calling for stricter laws and penalties for parents who leave their children unattended in vehicles. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking to think that someone could be so neglectful of their own child,” said one witness at the scene.
The Cleveland Police Department is urging parents to always double-check their vehicles before leaving them unattended, especially during hot weather. They are also reminding citizens to call 911 immediately if they see a child alone in a car, as it could mean the difference between life and death.
As for the baby found at the JACK Casino, he is now in the care of child protective services while authorities determine the best course of action for his future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible parenting and the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles.