NJ Woman Accused of Leaving Baby in Car to Gamble at Bensalem Casino

The case of a New Jersey woman accused of leaving her 14-month-old son locked in a car while gambling at Parx Casino in Bensalem has drawn attention not only for its legal implications but also for the broader conversation it has sparked about child safety and public vigilance in entertainment venues.

According to multiple verified reports, Bensalem police responded to the 2900 block of Street Road shortly before 9 p.m. On April 14, 2026, after receiving a report of a child locked inside an unoccupied vehicle in the casino’s parking lot. The child, identified as a 14-month-old boy, was found secured in a rear car seat, covered in sweat and wearing a soiled diaper. Emergency workers described the child as “very hot” upon discovery.

Surveillance footage from Parx Casino showed the child’s mother, Leola Dualuqua, 37, of Willingboro, New Jersey, leaving her vehicle and entering the casino shortly before 6:30 p.m. She did not return to the car until she was met by police, meaning she had been inside gambling for more than two hours. Police allege that during this time, the temperature inside the vehicle rose significantly, with outside temperatures ranging from 85 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit between 6 p.m. And 9 p.m. Authorities noted that temperatures inside a closed vehicle can increase by 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes and up to 50 degrees in an hour, according to the National Weather Service.

The child was removed from the vehicle by officers using a lockout kit and taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation. No further updates on his condition were included in the probable cause affidavit filed by authorities. Dualuqua was arraigned early on Wednesday, April 16, 2026, before District Judge Corryn Kronnagel on a felony charge of endangering the welfare of children and a summary charge of leaving a child unattended in a car. She was released after posting bail and had no legal representation listed in the public docket as of April 16.

While the incident occurred at a casino—a venue often associated with entertainment and leisure—the case has prompted discussion about the responsibilities of such establishments in monitoring patron behavior, particularly when children may be at risk. Parx Casino, one of the largest gaming and entertainment complexes in Pennsylvania, offers a range of amenities including dining, live performances, and gaming areas. However, no statement from Parx Casino management regarding the incident or any potential policy changes was included in the verified reports.

Child safety advocates have long warned about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially in warm weather, noting that a child’s body temperature can rise three to five times faster than an adult’s. The incident has been cited in recent public awareness campaigns as a stark reminder of how quickly such situations can become life-threatening, even during what may seem like a short absence.

As of the latest available information, no updates have been provided regarding the child’s medical status following the hospital evaluation, nor have there been any public statements from Dualuqua or her legal counsel. The case remains under legal proceedings, with the charges reflecting the seriousness with which authorities treat allegations of child endangerment.