Houston Gambler Allegedly Leaves Preschooler Alone in Car for Over Four Hours

Houston Gambler Allegedly Leaves Preschooler Alone in Car for Over Four Hours.

Costfoto / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

A man is now facing criminal felony charges after he left his four-year-old daughter alone in a parked car while he gambled at a race track, authorities said.

Sam Houston Race ParkSam Houston Race Park, pictured above. A man was arrested for allegedly leaving his daughter alone in a car at the track while he gambled. (Image: Chron)

Last week, Daniel Ruiz, 59, was charged with a form of child abandonment after the youngster was discovered unsupervised in the vehicle for over four hours at the Sam Houston Race Park.

The car’s engine was turned off while Ruiz was gambling. The girl was alone in the vehicle.

The office of Harris County Constable Mark Herman was alerted about the unsupervised child. Deputies went to the parking area of the track where they located the four-year-old. Ruiz made his way back to the car as deputies were at the scene.

Admits He Was Gambling

Deputies questioned Ruiz about the situation and he admitted he had been gambling at the track, according to Houston TV station KRIV.

He was charged with child abandonment with intent to return and was booked at the Harris County Jail. His bail was set at $5,000. It appears Ruiz has been released from the jail, according to online jail records.

The case was turned over to local prosecutors. There s been no word if Ruiz entered a plea in the case and, if convicted, he faces up to two years in prison, according to information posted online.

Girl Given to Other Adult

Deputies contacted Texas Child Protective Services (TCPS) about the child who was given to another adult guardian while she was still at the race track. TCPS supervised the placement.

There were no reports that the child suffered any ailments while alone in the car and there s no indication the girl required any medical attention. Outdoor temperatures were estimated to have ranged between 55 and 63 degrees that day in Houston, according to online weather sites.

Sam Houston Race Park features horse and American Quarter Horse racing during parts of the year. Other times, it provides simulcast racing. Located 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston, Sam Houston Race Park is owned by Penn Entertainment.

In an unrelated case, two adults were apprehended earlier this week after they were accused of leaving their child in a at Pennsylvania’s . The six-year-old girl was in the parked Honda CR-V for about 45 minutes while the adults were inside the Bensalem, Pa. gaming property.

Article Sources
Women in Poker Hall of Fame Now Accepting Nominations for New Inductees editorial policy.
  1. Florida Legalizes Sports Betting, Craps, Roulette in $2.5B Gambling Deal

Compare Accounts
×
Kansas Sportsbooks Open in Sept., Mobile Betting Will Make NFL Season Start
Provider
Name
Description
North Dakota Charities Fire Back at Tribes’ Effort to Gain iGaming, Online Sports Betting  Massachusetts Casinos Seek Sports Betting Launch Date to Prep Sportsbook Operations  Women in Poker Hall of Fame Now Accepting Nominations for New Inductees  UK Betting Pools for Grand National Could Be Illegal  UFC Legend Conor McGregor Questioned in Attempted Sexual Assault Case in France  Monarch Casino Expected to Pursue M&A, Could Double in Size, Says Gaming Expert  Texas Lottery Blasted Over Loophole That Let Syndicate Win $95M  Magic Johnson Negotiating for Piece of Las Vegas Raiders: Report  Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Preaches Net Neutrality and Global Interaction  Las Vegas to Welcome 400K Visitors This New Year’s Eve Weekend