A woman was accused of child neglect after her baby was discovered alone in a stroller at the entrance of Florida’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood on Christmas Eve. 

Local authorities were notified and found the infant who had been abandoned on Tuesday next to a bell desk staff member. 

A little while later, the baby's mother, Rubi C. Verduzco, 29, who was visiting from Bethany, Okla., was taken into custody regarding the event. 

Diaper Was Soiled

“[The] infant [was] wearing a soiled diaper in a stroller out in the open elements,” according to a police report quoted by Florida TV station WTVJ.

A few hours prior to Christmas, three men left the child at the bell desk by the casino's Old Main Entrance and then departed. A worker at the casino notified the Seminole Police Department and stayed with the child until a tribal police officer showed up. 

Around 15 minutes later, Verduzco arrived at the bell station. It was uncertain if she returned voluntarily or if the police or casino staff notified her about the situation. 

An officer reported that Verduzco seemed to be intoxicated. According to police, her eyes were red and teary, her speech was unclear, and her breath reeked of alcohol. 

Unaware of Child's Birthdate 

Verduzco also seemed perplexed and was unaware of the baby’s date of birth. According to the police report, she was unable to say “who, where, or how long she was away from her baby.” 

According to police, Verduzco's identity was verified by a medical marijuana card issued in Oklahoma. 

Verduzco was taken into custody at Broward County's Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale, where a bail of $2,500 was established. 

A police officer allowed Verduzco to contact a man she claimed was the father of the baby. He first informed the police that he was in Oklahoma. Subsequently, he asserted that he was in Orlando, Florida, but could not assure that he would manage to collect the child from the gaming location. 

The man informed the officer that the infant should be placed in the custody of state authorities, as reported by WTVJ. Florida radio station WOOD reported that he also suggested Verduzco should be arrested. 

The officer subsequently notified the Florida Department of Children and Families. The agency took over the child’s custody. 

Local media did not report the child's age or gender. It was also unclear what Verduzco was doing at the casino or how the trio of men obtained temporary custody of the baby. 

According to online jail records, it seems that Verduzco was discharged from jail later that week. The matter was handed over to local prosecutors.