HOUSTON – A father has been arrested and charged after deputies say he left his young daughter inside a non-running vehicle as he gambled, according to deputies with Constable Mark Herman’s Office.
The father, 59-year-old Daniel Ruiz, has been charged with Child Abandonment with Intent to Return.
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On Dec. 19, deputies responded to the Sam Houston Race Park in reference to a welfare check of a child inside a non-running vehicle.
As deputies were investigating, Ruiz returned to the vehicle and told them he went to the location to gamble.
Further investigation revealed that he left the child unattended for over four hours.
Child Protective Services was called and advised about the case.
A guardian arrived on scene and took custody of the child. Ruiz was booked into the Harris County Jail where his bond was set at $5,000.