An Ohio woman was arrested on January 5 after allegedly leaving her children alone in a car in freezing temperatures at a casino parking lot. Shaneja Gamble, 22, was charged with endangering her children after security guards at the Hollywood Casino Toledo noticed two children in a car unattended. The guards alerted an off-duty police officer, who responded to the scene. The arrest affidavit does not provide details on how the children were discovered or what Gamble was doing at the time, but she was later tracked down and taken into custody.
The ages of the children were not disclosed in the affidavit, nor was any information provided about their condition or their current guardianship. However, the document stated that the air temperature in Toledo on January 5 was 26 degrees Fahrenheit, and the car was not running and was unlocked when the officer arrived. This raised significant concerns about the children’s safety, as the freezing temperatures posed a clear risk to their well-being. The children were left alone in the car for an unspecified amount of time.
Gamble was booked into the Lucas County Corrections Center on the same day of her arrest. She appeared for her arraignment on January 6, where she pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge of endangering children. The charge stems from creating a substantial risk to the children’s health or safety by leaving them in such dangerous conditions. Despite the serious nature of the charge, Gamble was released on her own recognizance, meaning she was not required to post bail. Her next court date was not listed in the court records.
The case has drawn attention to the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, particularly in extreme weather conditions. In a similar incident, a couple from Brooklyn was recently charged after leaving their 6-year-old child alone in a car in below-freezing temperatures at a Pennsylvania casino. Another case involved a mother who left her baby unattended at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, during the same week. These incidents highlight an alarming trend of parents and guardians leaving children in cars in potentially life-threatening situations while engaging in adult activities such as gambling.
The charges against Gamble come at a time when the issue of child endangerment in vehicles has been a focus of law enforcement and child welfare advocates. Leaving children in cars, especially in extreme temperatures, can lead to serious health risks, including hypothermia and even death. Many states have laws in place that specifically address the issue of leaving children unattended in vehicles, with some carrying harsh penalties for offenders.
The Toledo case serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of children at all times. Parents and guardians are urged to take extra precautions to ensure their children are not left in unsafe situations, particularly in extreme weather conditions.
