2 Arrested For Leaving Kids In Car While They Gambled At Parx Casino In Bensalem

2 Arrested After Kids Left In Car Outside Bensalem Casino

August 1, 2011 5:30 PM

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BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) – Police in Bucks County have arrested two people in an ongoing problem that is plaguing a popular casino: children being left in the car while adults go inside to gamble.

The most recent incident happened Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of Parx Casino on Street Road in Bensalem.

According to investigators, two witnesses observed a six-year-old running through the parking lot screaming “papa” several times and crying. The child was then seen entering a car.

Both witnesses walked over to the car and noticed that the vehicle was not running, but the key was inside the ignition and there was hot air blowing out of the vehicle cooling vents.

The child was described as being sweaty, hot and her face was flush. The temperature at the time was in excess of 90 degrees. The child was treated by the Rescue Squad at the scene and was released.

Casino security said the child was left unattended in the vehicle for at least 17 minutes.

“I’ve been doing this 24 years,” said Bensalem Public Safety Director Fred Harran. “I don’t know why people do the things they do but it keeps me employed.”

Police arrested 29-year-old Michael Roytman, the child’s father, and charged him with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Reckless Endangering Another Person. He is being held at the Bucks County Prison in lieu of $75,000 or 10 percent bail.

Jericka Duncan reports…

In the other incident, which occurred on July 16th, police say 39-year-old Frances Casey was arrested for leaving three children inside a car while she was inside the casino.

Parx Casino security was patrolling the parking lot when they observed three children left alone inside a running vehicle.

Police say a one-year-old, a two-year-old and a nine-year-old were found inside the car. The vehicle was running and the passenger window was down.

A short time later, police say Casey arrived back to her car and she later admitted that she was babysitting her sister’s three children and drove them to the casino to redeem a promotional voucher for free pots and pans.

Investigators say Casey also admitted that she played two slot machines before returning to her car. According to Parx Casino security, the children were left unattended in the vehicle for at least 17 minutes.

Casey has been charged with Endangering the Welfare of Children.

Last year, authorities say there were at least a half dozen separate incidents of adults leaving children inside locked cars at the casino.

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2 Arrested After Kids Left In Car Outside Bensalem Casino

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/08/18/parx-casino-representatives-in-harrisburg-to-answer-questions-about-plan-to-prevent-children-being-left-in-cars/ Parx Casino Representatives In Harrisburg To Answer Questions About Plan To Prevent Children Being Left In Cars « CBS Philly

[...] even with stepped up patrols, it hasn’t stopped, the most recent cases coming last month (see related story). Board spokesman Doug Harbach says, “It’s still occurring, so some discussion about their [...]
CC

it’s a crime that they entice people there who can’t help themselves…casino’s prey on the poor people. i remember the long lines in the poor neighborhood i lived in 1980 when they first opened up the PA lottery. it appeared to me people spent their entire paycheck on numbers. Fran, this might be a great test case, sue the casino.

cc

However, the pots and pans could of waited and while you weren’t in there that long, somewhere in your family common sense gene was missing so how could you expect the 10 year old to act like an adult in an emergency i.e. molesters hanging out in parking lot, engine fire, response to inconsolable crying baby
margarita

This guy, Michael Roytman is the father of my child, the girl who was found there. He is far from being poor, he is from a very wealthy family. Casino has nothing to do w all this. There was a custody issue and they were able to get a shared custody, because they have money. She could have been with me and nothing would have happened. The problem is with family law system, not with casinos. I was in the very bad financial shape at that time and could not even get a lawyer.
Fran Casey

I agree, They sent me a slip in the mail for $100.00 in free pots and pans to pick up between 530-7 july 16 only!!, and me just being able to pay for my school and rent went to grab them. If I could have just walked in with the kids I would of took them in, even thought I thought the 10 year old was old enough,, ok,, I did make a mistake, and will never-ever leave any child under 18 alone in my car!!!
This has brought so so much bad stuff to me, I have been asked to leave a program that I have be envolved with for over 5 years because of this, and I can not take back what I did, and I am sorry, this has brought a lot of bad things to my life, and I have not even been found quilty!!!

grumpy

10 going on 18 isn’t 18! Let her enjoy being 10 and don’t leave her out there alone!
No excuses please.
Fran Casey

Hello!!!! I am fran Casey!!!!! I am the person who they put on the news, just becase, the other guy left his 6 year old in a hot car!!!! doesnt mean I did!!!! I parked next to a guard, who saw me get out and call the cops while my 10 year is old enough to babysit, I think she is old enough to stay in a car for ten min,, people do it all the time when they run in the store!!!!!!!1 Yes under 10 is to young but 10 year olds today act like they are 18, like my nice who was in the car!!!! Police need to go after the mothers and fathers who are doing drugs in the car with kids or the kids who live in the crack houses!! not me!!!! I just graduate college to work as an adiction counselor, for teen, if this sticks, i will never work and help teens!!!!!!!!!!!!

VietVet

Yes Fran Casey … you made a mistake … you used poor judgement. Sure, many people do the same thing, but that doesn’t make it right! You got caught and now you’re angry! Too bad … live with your mistake and learn from it. If you have to wait to work in your chosen field, that’s on you! At least the children are okay. You assumed the guard knew exactly what you were thinking when you left your car? Guess again! Learn some respect for human life and learn to protect your children. I’m not implying that you are a bad person or bad mother … you just need to make better decisions in the future. Good luck and God be on your side.
Dan K

Your delusional… a 10 year old is not old enough to babysit a 1 year old and a 2 year old. And spending at least 17 mins in the casino while leaving kids in the car that you are responsible for is not nearly the same as running into Wawa for 2 mins and where you can see your car (which I have never seen before but maybe it happens if the kids are old enough). If you were watching my kids I’d never speak to you again until you got some help. Admit you have a problem and seek some help.

Fran Casey

what is my problem??? please tell me becase I have gone in that place, maybe 6 times in my life and I am 38 years old!! so what type of problem do I have,???? its sure not gambleming when I went in to get get free pots and pans , I cant have that much money to wast on that place, I did it case it was free!!, I have 4 younger sisters and they have 10 children ages 11 and under and I would jump infront of a bus for any of them, and I have babysat since this has took place!!! ,my family and real friends trust me and know that was a one time dumb mistake!! and I wold never ” knowingly and willing putt any child in danger”

http://www.americasreview.com/u-s-news/pennsylvania-supreme-court-adopts-reforms-after-critical-reports/ Pennsylvania Supreme Court Adopts Reforms After Critical Reports | Americas Review

[...] READ: 2 Arrested After Kids Left In Car Outside Casino [...]
AL

Another Russian Herion Addict
Alex Krizel

Here’s an idea… Open childcare next door to the casino. You could make millions! Plus, the kids wouldn’t suffer. Just make sure you get payment up front. Hey casinos, if you know it’s a problem, why not open a daycare? Bet if kids were old enough to gamble you’d have a free buffet out for them, wouldn’t you. You greedy, good-for-nothing SOBs.

Fran Casey

thanks,, from, fran casey!! the story really isnt as bad at it seems she is 10 going on 18 and babysits!!

dosguy

Was this reported because it happened outside a casino? Suppose it had happened outside a church? Would they still have been arrested? Just wondering.

violet

Really? People go to church and leave their kids in the car? Are you an idiot. Bet you have never been in a church more than a couple of times.

Fran Casey

thats the truth, and I parked next to the guard who called the cop when I got out of car, instead of telling me I coulnt do it!!!!!
its safer then then wawa or a gas station where I see little kids all the time alone!!!!
she is 10 going on 18,, what you can charge a 10 year old as adult when they comitte a crime but when something like this happens they are to young??????????? get it together and go fight crime, and stop hurting the people who are trying in life!!

Fran Casey

no, I was only charged becase I was there and i parked next to the guard who called police the min I got out of car, and I was in and out while they where still runnung my tags!! to find out who I was,, I could have said she was 13 and not 10 but I told the truth!!!,, and I see it everyday at all type of stores, and gas stations, and banks, and pizza shop, !!! \
it was cause it was the casino,,
they should let me just bring them in when I was just picking up my gifts!!!
and This would not of happen but they tell you to come betwwen 530-7 and get your 100.00 wiorth of gifts, and I made the biggest mistake of my life, this has caused so so much problems in my life!!!! people have judged me, and I have not even been covited yet!! and the same people who have judged me!! well where are your kids, and look at what you do!!! people make mistakes

Somerdale Dave

These people deserve to lose their children. My wife and I used to play the slots occasionally for entertainment ($10 each). We never took our children. I can no longer stand the Jingle Jangle of the slots due to Tinitis. I only go in a Casino once a year to vote at my fraternal order’ws State Meeting, and I leave by 1PM the same day..
jim

Casinos are not family friendly at all.
carolyn

What low lifes’…
Rudy

What do you expect? When they push for legalized gambling they always imply it will be like James Bond playing baccarat and all very elegant. It isn’t. Gambling attracts low-lifes who are willing to risk everything they have in a get-rich-quick scheme. The odds are always against them so it is legalized fraud, and the it is the last resort of dishonest politicians who want to appease selfish constituents who would rather have slime fouling their streets than pay their fair share of taxes.