Regulators in Pennsylvania recently banned seven adults from the state's casinos as cases of child neglect and parental negligence grab headlines across the state. These most recent careless parents left their children unattended while they went inside popular casinos and gambled. While it may seem shocking, this neglect has become rampant in Pennsylvania, prompting the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to threaten criminal prosecution as well as bans from casinos. The board has even created a site—Don't Gamble with Kids—to amplify the message and raise awareness. But it may be helping to spread paranoia that could potentially lead to false accusations.

Frightening Details of the Pennsylvania Neglect Cases

The child neglect and endangerment cases that Pennsylvania has seen recently occurred at popular casinos, including Rivers Casino Philadelphia, Live! Philadelphia Hotel and Casino, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, and Mt. Airy Casino Resort. And the details are jaw-dropping. In some cases, children were left in casino hotel rooms. But in others, kids are left in cars in the casino parking lots while their parents go in and gamble. In one instance, a man left an 11-month-old baby alone in a vehicle for over forty minutes while he played inside the casino. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board named just under 400 cases of children being left alone while their parents gambled just last year.

Not surprisingly, stories like these can create a public sense of fear for minors—and an impulse to be hyper-vigilant about the adults in children's lives. The punishment for such actions may go beyond casino bans to criminal charges. But as with any headline-grabbing crime, the vigilance child neglect charges prompt may put innocent people in the crosshairs.

ChildLine in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania established ChildLine as a central place for both mandatory reporters and regular citizens to report child abuse as well as other concerns.

Anyone can use their website or hotline to report child abuse and “general well-being concerns.” It's an important resource for mandatory reporters who can use the site to leave a paper trail of reporting. Failure to report as a mandated reporter may put your job at risk.

Under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Services department, ChildLine accepts child well-being complaints and forwards them to the appropriate investigating agency. This prompts a quick and thorough investigation—usually within 24 hours.

Being accused of child abuse or neglect is serious and may result in the removal of a child from your home and a lengthy legal battle. If you have been the subject of a ChildLine referral, LLF Law Firm can help.

The LLF Law Firm Is Comprised of Committed and Experienced Advocates.

The LLF Law Firm's premier Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Team will help you with your child neglect challenges. Their years of nationwide experience set them apart. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for a skilled and experienced legal team.