North Carolina couple charged with leaving kids in van while visiting Oak Grove casino

A North Carolina couple were charged after they allegedly left their children in a vehicle while going to a casino in Oak Grove on Monday night.

Oak Grove Police said 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 said the keys were in the ignition and 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.