Dad leaves dog, 10-month-old baby in car while he gambles (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Dad KEVIN J. BERMES left his dog and his 10-month-old son in his car for at least an hour while he was gambling elsewhere. Police estimate that it was over 100 degrees in the car, and say that the baby was beneath a coat and hooded sweatshirt. Dad said he was meeting his girlfriend at the casino. The child was reportedly returned to the MOTHER, so it appears that these parents were separated or divorced. Wonder if Dad had court-ordered visitation or custody rights? Wonder if he'll keep them now? In Indiana especially, all kinds of outright criminal dads keep their "rights," so all bets are off.

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_258235136.html

Published September 15, 2009 11:48 pm - An Indianapolis man arrested Monday is charged with leaving an infant and a dog locked inside a hot car while he gambled at Hoosier Park.

Indy father accused of leaving child, dog in car at Hoosier Park

By Dave Stafford, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

ANDERSON — A man arrested Monday is charged with leaving an infant and a dog locked inside a hot car while he gambled at Hoosier Park.

Kevin J. Bermes, 23, Indianapolis, was in the Madison County Jail on Tuesday on charges of neglect of a dependent and animal cruelty.

According to an Anderson police probable cause affidavit, police arrived to find Hoosier Park personnel around a vehicle in the parking lot, where 10-month-old Brook Bates was locked inside beneath a coat and hooded sweatshirt. A full-grown boxer dog also was in the car, panting heavily, the report says.

The temperature when police arrived between 9 and 10 a.m. Monday was 78 degrees, but the temperature inside the car was estimated to be above 100 degrees.

Police called a wrecker service to gain entry to the 2006 Pontiac Gran Prix. They also contacted Child Protective Services.

“I noted the condition of the victim as having red cheeks and she was sweating,” according to the report by arresting officer Scott Calhoun.

“A few minutes after getting the door open and the child out of the car, the father (Bermes) approached,” the affidavit says.

Bermes told police that he was supposed to meet his girlfriend at the casino, where she was to take the child. “At one point he said he went inside to look for his girlfriend and then stated he was playing slots and lost track of time,” according to the report.

Hoosier Park security reviewed surveillance video of the parking lot and determined that the child and dog were left unattended in the car for more than an hour, the affidavit said.

The child was returned to the custody of her mother and the dog was taken to the Anderson Animal Shelter.

Bermes was held on $5,000 bond.