By Becky Metrick
The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pa.
LAS VEGAS — A Las Vegas man refused several efforts to get into his car where his toddler was locked inside, leading to officers finding her dead when they finally broke in, according to reports.
Sidney Deal, 27, is charged with child abuse or neglect causing substantial bodily harm, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
Deal’s arrest report shows that he told Metro Police the toddler would be OK inside the car because the air conditioning was on, the Sun reported.
At the same time, Deal was refusing the police’s offer to break into his car because he couldn’t afford to damage his new vehicle, the report said.
The police report detailed Deal’s movements over 42 minutes during which the toddler was stuck inside the car, the Sun reported. Police believe she was in there for at least an hour.
During Deal’s efforts to get into the car, his insurance company offered to send a tow truck, but he declined due to the cost, according to the report.
He also rejected an officer’s offer to call a locksmith and instead used the officer’s phone to call his brother, according to the report.
While Deal did call police over to help him, it wasn’t until “several” minutes later that he consented to officers breaking the window, the Sun reported. It is unclear how long Deal refused the police’s help.
Deal booked into Clark County Detention Center and did not attend a hearing Tuesday due to a medical issue, the Sun reported. He is being held on $20,000 bond.
©2020 The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.)