Delaware State Police
News Release

Slot Players Leave Children in Car While Patroning Delaware Park

Released- Monday, June 02, 2008

Newark- On Saturday, May 31, 2008, Troopers responded to Delaware Park Race Track and Slots in reference to two unattended children, ages 10 (boy) and 6 (girl), who were located by security in a car in the parking lot.

This investigation revealed that shortly before 4:00 p.m., a security guard located the children in a Mitsubishi Mirage.  The security officer took custody of the children, and was escorting them to the security office, when the mother of the two youngsters approached him.   She was identified as Marisol Santos-Mingucha, 31, of Reading, PA.   She provided the name and location of her husband- Juan Mingucha, 33, of Reading, PA, who was still inside playing the slot machines. 

Troopers located Mr. Mingucha and took him, as well as his wife, into custody.  It was later learned that the two arrived at approximately 3:00 p.m. The mother and father were observed on surveillance video walking into the facility, hand in hand, as they left their children alone in the parking lot. 

Juan and Marisol Mingucha were both charged with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (misdemeanor) and Conspiracy (misdemeanor).  Both defendants were released on $300.00 unsecured bond.  The children were turned over to a family member and the Division of Family Services was notified.