A North Carolina couple was charged after they allegedly left their children in a vehicle while going to a casino in Oak Grove Monday night.
Oak Grove Police say 51-year-old Simon Lopez and 33-year-old Maria Lopez of Statesville left four children in a van with no heat for over two hours. The temperature outside was 39° and it was raining at the time law enforcement arrived.
Police say the keys were in the ignition, the emergency flashers were on, but the vehicle was not running, and the children had blankets they were using.
They were both arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.