Watch CBS News

Thunder Valley Casino Gambler Allegedly Left 5-Year-Old Son In Car For Nearly 3 Hours

LINCOLN (CBS13) - An Oxnard man gambling at Thunder Valley Casino for several hours was arrested early Tuesday morning after his 5-year-old son was found wandering.

The woman who found the child told police he was barefoot, crying and yelling for his father. The boy had crossed a driveway by himself before he was found by the woman and her husband, who were returning to their car at 4:30 a.m.

Casino surveillance video showed the boy's father, 42-year-old Don V. Vo, leaving his son behind in his car at 1:50 a.m.

Vo was gambling until 4:45 a.m., until security escorted him out for questioning by Placer County deputies.

He was arrested on a felony charge of child endangerment and was booked at Placer County Jail.

Vo's son is with Child Protective Services.

Editor's Note: In a previous version of this story, the Placer County Sheriff's Office erroneously reported the child had crossed Athens Avenue, which has been corrected.

Related Stories:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.