A Houston man faces felony charges after allegedly leaving his 4-year-old daughter alone in a parked car for over four hours while he gambled at Sam Houston Race Park.

Daniel Ruiz, 59, was charged with child abandonment after deputies from the Harris County Constable's office discovered the unsupervised child in his vehicle with the engine turned off. When questioned by authorities, Ruiz admitted he had been gambling inside the race track facility.

The incident led to Ruiz's arrest and booking at Harris County Jail on a $5,000 bail, which he has since posted. If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison for child abandonment with intent to return.

The four-year-old girl was unharmed, with outdoor temperatures ranging between 55 and 63 degrees that day. Texas Child Protective Services was notified, and the child was released to another adult guardian at the scene.

Sam Houston Race Park, owned by Penn Entertainment and located 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston, offers both live Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing, along with simulcast racing throughout the year.

Related Articles

Previous Articles