Pennsylvania

Man Leaves Children in Car While Gambling: Police

A Brooklyn man was arrested after he allegedly left two children alone inside a car while gambling at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pa. 

Andy Omiridis told NBC10 he found a 3-year-old girl and 5-year-old girl alone inside a locked car in the parking garage of the casino around 10:20 p.m. August 30.

"It really infuriated me," Omiridis said. "If I was a bad guy and saw two little girls sitting in the car right there, no one would know they were missing." 

Omiridis contacted casino security and 911 immediately. Officials made several announcements over the loud speaker inside the Casino reporting that the children were found but no one responded.

Finally at 11:05 p.m., police found the owner of the vehicle, identified as Vaylon Wong, 47, of Brooklyn, New York.

Wong allegedly admitted he owned the vehicle and left the children alone inside. Police say Wong claimed the children were not his and that he was watching them for his neighbor. However, when the children saw Wong they referred to him as “daddy.” Police also say both girls have the same last name as Wong.

"He denied it!" Omiridis said. "Three times he was asked and he denied it every time. And the children were screaming, 'Daddy, daddy,' right towards him."

According to investigators, Wong became uncooperative and refused to reveal the identity of the girls' mother or where she was.

The children are currently in the custody of Northampton County Children and Youth who are investigating the incident along with Bethlehem Police.

Wong was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. He was committed to Northampton County Prison on $20,000 bail.

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