Police: Casino patron left kids alone in car outside

A Chicago man was arrested Sunday afternoon after he left his 3- and 5-year-old children in a car outside Rivers Casino in Des Plaines while he was gambling inside, police said.

Esteban Meraz, 38, of the 7000 block of West Diversey Avenue, is charged with two counts of endangering the life or health of a child, according to police.

Casino security personnel called police after spotting the kids in the car, police said.

Meraz was located in the sportsbook, police said.