Woman Charged for Leaving 15-Month-Old Baby in Unlocked Vehicle While She Gambled
Posted on: July 15, 2025, 09:54h.
Last updated on: July 15, 2025, 10:00h.
- A Massachusetts woman is facing child neglect charges in Rhode Island
- Police say she left her 15-month-old baby in a vehicle while she gambled
- The incident occurred at Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Sportsbook
A Massachusetts woman was arrested early Saturday morning after police say she left her baby unattended in her vehicle while she gambled inside a casino.
Early on July 12, the Tiverton Police Department in Rhode Island responded to a call from security at the Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Sportsbook. Responding officers located a baby and a small dog unattended in a white Toyota vehicle.
Law enforcement found the vehicle unlocked and a 15-month-old baby asleep in the car. It wasn’t reported whether the vehicle was running or if a window was down. According to Weather Underground, Tiverton experienced cloudy skies on July 12 with a high of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Police say a check of the vehicle’s registration identified the owner as Elyse Busch, 35, of Onset, Mass. Onset is in Wareham, roughly 35 miles east of the Bally’s casino that features 1,000 slot-like video lottery terminals and 32 live-dealer table games.
Child Neglect
After identifying the owner of the Toyota, Tiverton Police officers located Busch on the casino floor gambling on a slot machine. Casino surveillance video showed Busch entering the casino more than 30 minutes earlier.
Busch was arrested and charged with cruelty to or neglect of a child. She was later released on $3,000 surety bail. The child was evaluated at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital and later released to a family member.
Busch is scheduled to appear in Newport District Court this Thursday, July 17.
Massachusetts law requires parents and caretakers to provide a child with the minimal care necessary for their health, welfare, and well-being. Neglect is defined as failure, either deliberately or through negligence or inability, “to take those actions necessary to provide a child with minimally adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision, emotional stability and growth, or other essential care.”
Leaving a child unattended in an unlocked vehicle seemingly satisfies the definition of neglect. A person found guilty of such a felony criminal offense faces up to 2.5 years in prison, fines of up to $1,000, and possible loss of custody.
Tiverton Police referred the matter to both the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
Hot Summer
Much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast has experienced a hotter-than-usual summer in 2025. Unfortunately, incidents of children being left in vehicles while their caretakers gamble inside casinos continue to be prevalent across the region.
In May, Casino.org reported on a similar incident that occurred at Bally’s other property in Rhode Island. Police said two adults left two children aged 7 and 11 outside Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort for hours while they gambled inside. Several years ago, Casino.org reported on a three-year-old autistic child being left outside Bally’s Lincoln.
People in Rhode Island don’t have to visit either Bally’s casino to gamble on a legal, regulated slot machine or table game, as the state is one of only seven jurisdictions in the country where iGaming is allowed.
Last Comment ( 1 )
Yuck! Should have her baby and dog taken away from her.