HANOVER, Md. (WJZ)—A Baltimore City mother is in jail after her child was found freezing and hungry in a car parked at the Maryland Live! casino. Police say the mother left her daughter in the car for eight hours.

Rochelle Ritchie has more.

The little girl left alone is now with a relative while her mother will face a judge Thursday during her bail review.

Alicia Brown, 24, has been charged with child abuse and neglect after a shocking discovery by patrol officers at Maryland Live! Casino.

“Very disturbing situation,” said T.J. Smith, Anne Arundel County Police.

According to police, Brown was seen pulling into the parking garage at the casino with her daughter in the car around 10 a.m. New Year’s Eve. She parked on the fourth level and left the child unattended for hours while in the casino.

The girl was found sobbing in the car just after 6:30 p.m.

Anne Arundel County Police say the little girl was left inside the car for eight hours with no food and no heat as temperatures plummeted below freezing.

Police say Brown returned to her car shortly after her daughter was found; she was immediately arrested.

“You should almost turn around and put your hands behind your back yourself,” Smith said. “There’s no excuse.”

Maryland Live! Casino would not comment on the investigation.

Police say Brown is not an employee at the casino.

WJZ stopped at the address listed on the charging documents but there was no answer.

Parents learning of the crime say the decision to ever leave their child behind is unfathomable.

“Totally irresponsible,” said one man.

“Obviously her child is not that important to her,” said one woman.

Brown remains behind bars.

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