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.

This happens in Vegas, too.

I don't see a way to prevent these low-lifes from doing this, though.

People crazy.

Would these assholes leave any money they won laying there in full view? Of course not. But something as precious as their child?

Why not lock him in the 90 degree car and see how he reacts.

Tony Marino wrote:

Why not lock him in the 90 degree car and see how he reacts.

If there was a slot machine on the dash, he probably won't notice.

I remember in Arizona kids being left in cars , they never stay their long before someone calls the police (as it should be). I also remember 2 dogs left in a car with the temp inside the car somewhere around 165°, someone finally broke the window out of the car, got the dogs out, but it was too late and neither dog could be saved.They in fact died horrible deaths having convulsions until they were dead. The owners received a hefty fine, I hope they learned something, The whole town was outrages, we knew how hot it gets in closed up cars! That's pretty much how a child would die too.

I hope the good Samaritan didn't have to pay for the broken window. Do you remember how hefty the fine was?