Father Arrested After Leaving Baby in Car at Cleveland Casino Parking Lot

In late April, a distressing incident unfolded at the JACK Casino in Cleveland, leading to the arrest of 27-year-old Kyle Miller of Elyria on charges of child endangerment. 

The 10-Month-Old Was Discovered by a Passerby

The situation began with a 911 call reporting an unattended baby in a car on the fourth floor of the casino’s parking garage, reported Fox8. The call came from a passerby who noticed the 10-month-old girl alone in the vehicle. 

Cleveland police swiftly responded to the scene, where they found the infant with blankets taped to the backseat windows. Witnesses who stayed with the baby expressed their concern and amazement at her presence in the car, one noting how beautiful the baby was.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and additional officers arrived, ensuring the baby was safely removed from the car. An EMT, upon holding the baby, remarked on her tired appearance and the need for comfort. The child was then transported to UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital for a precautionary examination before being released to family members.

While the baby was being attended to, officers entered the casino to locate Miller. They noted that his vehicle had been parked since 8:10 p.m., but by the time they apprehended him at 10:54 p.m., nearly three hours had passed. The police bodycam footage captured the tense moments as officers confronted Miller and his friend inside the casino. They were handcuffed, and Miller was informed of his arrest for child endangerment. An officer sternly questioned Miller’s judgment in leaving his baby unattended while he gambled.

Stranger’s Vigilance Helps Save Baby

Following his arrest, Miller was taken to Cleveland Municipal Court, where he pled not guilty and was released on a $15,000 bond. His felony charges of tampering with evidence were dropped, but he remains scheduled to appear in court again on June 17.

Jackie Julius, who, along with her husband, discovered the baby and called 911, expressed relief that the child was unharmed and hoped this incident would serve as a cautionary tale for others. Julius emphasized the importance of vigilance and immediate action in such situations to prevent potential tragedies.

The JACK Casino has yet to comment on the incident, but the case has sparked discussions about parental responsibility and the measures needed to protect vulnerable children in public spaces.In a similar incident in March, another parent faced charges for leaving five children alone while gambling. The 29-year-old father left his children aged 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years old for about an hour in the parking lot of the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois, while he was in the casino.