Date: December 27, 2024, 12:58h. 

Last updated: December 27, 2024, 12:58h.

A woman faced charges after her baby was discovered unattended in a stroller at the entrance of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood in Florida on Christmas Eve.

Local authorities were informed and located the infant alone near a bell desk employee on Tuesday.

Shortly after, the mother of the infant, Rubi C. Verduzco, 29, who was visiting from Bethany, Oklahoma, was arrested for neglecting her child.

Soiled Diaper Situation

According to a police report cited by Florida TV station WTVJ, the infant was left in a stroller in the open with a soiled diaper.

Initially, three men left the child near the bell desk at the Old Main Entrance of the casino and walked away just before Christmas.

An employee of the casino alerted the Seminole Police Department and stayed with the child. A tribal police officer arrived at the bell desk around 30 minutes later.

About 15 minutes after that, Verduzco arrived at the bell station. It was unclear whether she returned on her own or was notified of the situation by the police or casino employees.

Officers reported that the woman seemed intoxicated. Her eyes were watery and bloodshot, her speech was slurred, and her breath smelled of alcohol.

Lack of Information

She also seemed confused and was unable to provide the child’s birthdate. She couldn’t clarify “who, where, or for how long she had left her baby,” according to the police report.

Police confirmed Verduzco’s identity using a medical marijuana card issued in Oklahoma. She also provided the child’s name to the police.

Verduzco was taken into custody at Broward County’s Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale. Her bail was set at $2,500. According to online jail records, she was released later in the week. The case was handed over to local prosecutors.

An officer allowed Verduzco to contact a man she claimed was the baby’s father. Initially, he told the police he was in Oklahoma. Later, he said he was in Orlando, Florida, but couldn’t guarantee he could pick up the child from the casino property.

The man suggested that state authorities should take custody of the infant. He also recommended Verduzco’s arrest, as reported by Florida radio station WOOD.

The officer then informed the Florida Department of Children and Families, and the child was placed under the agency’s care.

The child’s age, gender, Verduzco’s purpose at the casino, and how the three men came to temporarily have custody of the infant were not disclosed in local reports.