Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC Mom Arrested For Leaving 5-Year-Old Alone In Mohegan Sun Hotel Room
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 26, 2012
Modified Jan 26, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 26, 2012
Modified Jan 26, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Connecticut police arrested a 38-year-old woman for risk of injury to a minor for leaving her five-year-old son in a casino hotel room so she could gamble. And police found out what happened because her son called 911.
According to the Courant, the boy dialed 911 and when a dispatcher answered, he said, "Who are you?" and "What's your name?":
The dispatcher spent more than four minutes engaging in a friendly conversation with the child and asking him questions, which led to the discovery that he was alone in a hotel room.
"There's a kid alone up there, a young kid," the dispatcher is heard saying in a muffled tone after the child told her his mom said not to open the door for anybody.
At one point, the dispatcher asks the child's age.
"Um, 1," he answers.
"You are not 1," the dispatcher responds.
"Maybe 2?" the child says.
"I think you're older than 2. Maybe 3?" the dispatcher says.
"Maybe," says the child.
The child was taken into Connecticut's children's protective services. Wu, who lives in New York City, is being held on $150,000 bail and "Police said a search of the mother's fingerprints found outstanding immigration charges and an arrest warrant in Rocky Mount, N.C., police said."
Mohegan Sun said, "Here at Mohegan Sun we do everything we can to provide the opportunity for all guests to act responsibly. When it comes to child care, we have multiple options available for guests including Kids Quest and Cyber Quest facilities. We have a no tolerance policy for things of this nature and are cooperating fully with all authorities on this matter."
Tagged
9/11
bad mother
casino
connecticut
gambling
mohegan sun
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .