Authorities stated on Monday an Arizona couple was charged with child neglect and endangerment last week after they abandoned their toddler to play Pokémon Go.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said that Brent Daley, 27, and Brianne Daley, 25, abandoned their 2-year-old child at their home in San Tan Valley of southeast Phoenix. The Daleys left the toddler for 90 minutes in 90-degree heat without water while they played Pokémon Go in surrounding neighborhoods, according to NBC News.
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The release from the authorities states that boy was found by the deputies on Thursday night at 10:30 p.m., when a neighbor dialed 911 to report the child who appeared to have been left alone. He was “screaming and crying [and] attempting to get into the residence,” the release continues. The boy was apparently barefoot, red-faced and filthy.
The police found a phone number in the house for the boy’s parents, and called Brent to inform him of the 911 call about leaving his son. Officials said in the statement that Daley answered with “whatever” and then hung up the phone.
The couple initially told the police they left the house to buy gas, but then admitted that they had gone in search of Pokémon creature in the neighborhood.
Sheriff Paul Babeu said his agency and others have warned game users about personal safety while playing the smartphone game, but did not realize the reckless behavior would come to this.
“But we never would have imagined that parents would abandon a child to play Pokémon Go,” Babeau stated. “This goes beyond comprehension.”
No reports yet on whether the attorneys for the Daleys have made a comment on the allegations.
Do you think these parents should be found guilty of child neglect and endangerment?
