Two Men Admit Leaving Kids In The Car While Gambling

BUCKS COUNTY, PA (CBS) - Two men have admitted in Bucks County court that they left children in their cars while they gambled inside Parx Casino in Bensalem over the summer.

Paul Vargas of Bensalem and Alexander Salter of Trenton each pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge after prosecutors dropped the more serious charge of child endangerment. Vargas admitted leaving two boys in the car. He was given three months probation but also is going to jail for driving that day on a suspended license and for a previous drug case. Salter also received three months probation.

Prosecutor Blake Jackman said it would be difficult to support the more serious charges in court.

Jackman says, "But in these particular cases what may be bad parenting and what may be offensive to the community just doesn't meet the legal definition for endangering the welfare of a child."

The men were the first of at least six defendants arrested for leaving children in vehicles while they gambled, but Jackman was quick to point out that they are still pursuing child endangerment charges in some of the other cases. He says they are being handled on a case-by-case basis.

Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio