Oklahoma Boy Left Alone in Car, Vehicle Then Stolen From Casino Lot

Posted on: September 22, 2021, 08:03h. 

Last updated on: September 23, 2021, 02:00h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A 10-year-old boy was left alone in a running car outside of Oklahoma’s Newcastle Casino. The mother was arrested after the car was stolen. So, too, was the man who allegedly took the car with the boy inside. The child was later found safe.

The boy’s mom was charged with child neglect
Oklahoma’s Newcastle Casino, pictured above. A car was stolen from the casino lot with a boy inside. Police eventually found the car, and two arrests took place. (Image: Chickasaw Nation)

The mother drove to the tribal gaming property around 4 am. She left her 2016, black Lincoln MKX running in a parking lot, according to the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office. Keys were in the ignition.

The mother then went into the casino, leaving the child in the car. A short time later, a man got into the car. He sped away with the child still in the car. For several minutes, the boy remained in the car as the male suspect drove in Newcastle.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol soon issued an Amber Alert, according to KWTV, another local TV station. A passerby saw the stolen car in Newcastle. Police soon after located the car at a local gas station.

Carjacker, Mother Arrested

A man identified as Seth Grant, 36, was arrested for the carjacking by the Canadian County Sheriff’s deputies., KFOR said. Specific charges are still pending.

The boy’s mom was charged with child neglect, KFOR said. She was arrested by Lighthorse Police. Her name was not identified in initial news reports. 

As of later today, the boy was being looked after by the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department. He was not harmed, based on initial news reports.

Newcastle Casino is owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation.

Child Endangerment Incidences

Such incidents have taken place nationwide. In recent months, several children have been left unattended in cars while adults go into casinos to gamble.

In April, a Florida physician faced two charges of neglect after leaving two children unattended in her car. Dr. Marieny Elena Guimera-Revelo allegedly left them in the car while she played poker at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Fla. 

Prosecutors claim she was at a poker table in the casino for at least 12 minutes. The children were 3- and 11-years-old at the time.

In July, a baby was found alone in a car parked at Bighorn Casino in North Las Vegas on a hot’s summer’s evening. A man was later arrested. Police said he was gambling in the venue and appeared intoxicated. Mitchell Anthony Hooks, 39, of Las Vegas was charged with child abuse and leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle.

The baby required medical examination.