Dad accused of leaving young kids in van while gambling in bar (Medicine Hat, Canada)

UNNAMED DAD. Notice that the children have been returned to "the family." I'm never quite sure if this means the mother or not.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/accused+leaving+children+aged+three+five+while+gambling/8923563/story.html

Dad accused of leaving children, aged three and five, in van while gambling

By Sherri Zickefoose, Calgary Herald September 17, 2013 1:00 PM

A father is facing charges of child abandonment after leaving his children in a van while he allegedly gambled in a Medicine Hat bar.

Police responded to a complaint after a three-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl were seen inside a locked van in a parking lot Sept. 7 around 3:15 p.m.

Officers found the children’s father inside a pub gambling on VLTs, police say.

The children were left alone for approximately 45 minutes in weather about 20 C.

The children were in good health, police say.

The father, a 35-year-old man from Ralston, Alta., who police are not identifying, has been charged with two counts of child abandonment.

Child Service has been advised of the investigation.

The children were returned to the family.

The man will be in court Sept. 26.