For 7th time, child left in car at PARX casino

Latest incident happens as lawmakers propose making leaving kids along in a car a felony in Pennsylvania.

Another child has been found alone in a vehicle at Bensalem’s PARX casino–while his grandfather gambled inside. The crime happened while temperatures rose on Thursday, just after Bensalem leaders said they hoped the potentially dangerous situation would not be repeated.

In response to half a dozen incidents, the police, casino representatives, and local politicians vowed to fight the unthinkable act.

Bensalem Township Police Public Safety Director Fred Harran said he never expected people would leave kids in their cars to gamble, but it’s become a serious problem.

“We have increased our patrols. I’m having officers – where we used to check for activity outside the car – now we have to re-direct and also check for activity inside the car and that means a child or a toddler left behind. If I’m in the township driving around I’ll go through the parking lot and I’ll check myself – I’ve done this a few times now – and I’ll continue to do it until the problem gets solved and stopped.”

In response to the PARX incidents, two Bucks County lawmakers are pushing to make it a third-degree felony to leave a child under age 13 in a motor vehicle without adult supervision.

Harran says he hopes the legislation, and the fear of a felony, will send a strong message to adults.