Mom Left Baby, Dog In Car While She Played Slots At Tiverton Casino: Cops

TIVERTON, RI — A Massachusetts mom left her baby and a small dog in an unlocked car while she played a slot machine at Bally's Casino in Tiverton, police said.

Elyse Busch, 35, was located in the casino Saturday morning and arrested, police said.

Video surveillance footage confirmed Busch had been in the casino for about a half hour while her 15-month-old child and dog were in the car outside, the Tiverton Police Department said in a media release.

Officers were called to the casino about 7 a.m. to investigate a report of an "infant left unattended in a vehicle," according to police.

"Upon arrival, officers, along with casino security personnel, located a white Toyota parked on the upper level of the casino’s parking garage," police said. "The vehicle was found unlocked. Inside, officers discovered a 15-month-old infant asleep in a car seat, along with a small dog."

The vehicle's registration came back to Busch, police said, and officers found her inside the casino playing a slot machine.

Busch, a resident of Onset, was charged with cruelty to or neglect of a child, according to police.

"The infant was transported by Tiverton Rescue to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for evaluation," police said, and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families were notified.

"The child was later released to a family member," police said.

Busch was released on a $3,000 surety bond, according to police.