Florida Casino Visitor Arrested After Her Soiled Baby Was Left Alone on Christmas Eve

Florida Casino Visitor Arrested After Her Soiled Baby Was Left Alone on Christmas Eve.

Costfoto / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

A woman was charged with child neglect after her infant was found in a stroller at the entrance to on .

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino HollywoodSeminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, pictured above. A woman was arrested there after her baby was left alone. (Image: Kayak)

Local police were alerted and located the baby who was on Tuesday near a bell desk employee.

A short time later, the infant s mother, Rubi C. Verduzco, 29, who was visiting from Bethany, Okla., was arrested in connection with the incident.

Diaper Was Soiled

[The] infant [was] wearing a soiled diaper in a stroller out in the open elements,” according to a police report quoted by Florida TV station WTVJ.

Just hours before Christmas, three men dropped the child by the bell desk at the casino s Old Main Entrance and then walked away. A casino employee alerted the Seminole Police Department and remained near the child until a tribal police officer arrived.

About 15 minutes later, Verduzco showed up at the bell station. It was unclear whether she came back on her own or was alerted to the situation by police or casino employees.

An officer said Verduzco appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Her eyes were watery and bloodshot, her speech was slurred, and her breath smelled of alcohol, police said.

Didn’t Know Child’s Birthdate

Verduzco also appeared confused and didn’t know the baby’s birthdate. She couldn’t say “who, where, or for what length of time she left her baby,” according to the police report.

Verduzco’s identity was confirmed by an Oklahoma-issued medical marijuana card, police said.

Verduzco was booked into Broward County s Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale and had bail set at $2,500.

A police officer let Verduzco call a man she said was the baby’s father. He initially told police he was in Oklahoma. Later, he claimed to be in Orlando, Fla., but couldn’t guarantee he would be able to pick up the child from the gaming property.

The man told the officer that state authorities should be given custody of the infant, according to WTVJ. He also recommended that Verduzco be arrested, Florida radio station WOOD reported.

The officer later alerted the Florida Department of Children and Families. The child was placed under the agency’s care.

The age and gender of the child weren’t reported in local media. Nor was it clear what Verduzco was doing at the casino or how the three men got temporary custody of the infant.

Based on online jail records, it appears Verduzco was released from jail later in the week. The case was turned over to local prosecutors.

Article Sources
Connecticut Casino Outlook Grim, as Neighboring Competition Continues to Hurt State’s Two Resorts editorial policy.
  1. Kristi Torgerson Named Nevada Gaming Control Board Enforcement Division Chief

Compare Accounts
×
UK Gambling Commission Expected to Name Andrew Rhodes as Permanent Boss
Provider
Name
Description
Cherish Andrews, Stephen Song Are Global Poker Index Players of the Year  Fanatics Sells Candy Digital Stake Amid ‘Imploding’ NFT Market  Hard Rock Atlantic City Offers $2,020 New Year’s Eve Package, Casino Rooms Remain Available  Atlantic City Casino Smoking Bill Fails to Muster Senate Committee Support  Evoplay Relocating Employees Out of Ukraine, Offering Additional Support  UK Gambling Commission Expected to Name Andrew Rhodes as Permanent Boss  Charlotte Hornets Lose Another Starter, Kelly Oubre Jr. Out 4-6 Weeks  Playtech Report Shows Most Argentine Bettors Don’t Weigh Site Legality  Daily Fantasy Sports Players File Lawsuit Against Credit Card Industry  Fanatics Sells Candy Digital Stake Amid ‘Imploding’ NFT Market