Gambler allegedly left child in hot car at Delaware casino

A 14-month-old girl was left in a car on Monday afternoon while her father gambled inside Harrington Raceway and Casino.

According to Delaware State Police, shortly after after noon on Labor Day, a customer at the casino noticed that a running car was parked in a handicap space outside the casino. Taking a closer look at the car, the unidentified patron noticed a child sitting in a car seat in the rear of the car.

State Police were called and opened the unlocked car doors to rescue the girl. Police said that she was in the car for less than half an hour and did not seem to be in distress or in need of medical attention.

The girl’s father, 26-year-old Justin Middleton of Maryland, was located after he responded to a page inside the casino at approximately 1:30 p.m. He was taken into custody on several charges that included reckless endangerment.

Pending the arrival of her mother, Middleton’s daughter was turned over to a relative from the Harrington area.