Irresponsible Gambling: Child Left Unattended Leads to Arrest in Evansville, Indiana

The incident occurred on a Wednesday night when police received a report of a child left alone inside a car at Bally’s Evansville parking garage. Upon arrival, officers discovered a running car with a child inside on the second floor. CCTV footage revealed the car entering the garage an hour before the report.

I.J., the presumed father or legal guardian, explained to the officers that he entered the casino to find someone but "lost track of time." Investigation exposed that his driver’s license was suspended, and he had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear related to the suspended license. The bond for the 27-year-old is set at $850, with potential additional consequences pending confirmation.

Many states with legal casino gambling enforce strict rules against leaving children unattended. Punishments vary, ranging from fines to criminal charges. Offenders may also be placed on involuntary exclusion lists, preventing them from participating in gambling activities.