Babysitters Leave Child Home Alone, Steal Laptop and Cash, Police Say

A South Bethlehem couple who left their 10-month-old daughter in the care of a nephew and his friend returned home to find their infant home alone and that they had been cleaned out of $1,500 cash, a laptop computer and a video game system, police said.

The friend, William Torres-Approvato, 19, and listed as homeless on court documents, was arrested on Monday and charged with theft, receiving stolen property and endangering the welfare of children.

The nephew, Dylan Bright, who according to court papers is also homeless, remains at large.

The incident happened April 1 at about 8 p.m. when the victims, a couple who live on the 900 block of E. Fifth Street, decided to leave their daughter at home with Bright and Torres-Approvato so they could go to the store, police said.

When the couple returned, the daughter was in her crib, but no one else was home. Also, an HP laptop computer, a PlayStation 3 and about 13 games, a pair of Timberland boots, clothing, a wallet and $1,500 cash was missing, according to the affidavit.

The total value of the stolen items was estimated at $3,000.

Torres-Approvato was arraigned before District Judge Patricia Romig-Passaro and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.