A Peoria father is facing serious allegations after allegedly leaving his twin toddlers home alone for several hours while he went gambling.
The incident unfolded when a concerned neighbor called 911 after he found the 2-year-old twins running around unsupervised outside the family’s home, accompanied by an “aggressive” dog. The neighbor brought the toddlers inside his own house to ensure their safety.
According to court documents, the twins had been outside for approximately 20 minutes, dangerously close to the street, before the neighbor intervened. The garage door was left open, indicating an apparent absence of adult supervision. Upon the arrival of the police, the children were found with dirt on their faces, feet, and clothes, and were wearing soiled diapers.
Eventually, 37-year-old Craig Opdycke returned home, claiming he had gone to Taco Bell just a mile away. He initially stated that he was gone for 30 minutes, leaving the kids at home. However, after his wife arrived, Opdycke confessed to a different story. He revealed that he had actually been at Desert Diamond Casino for five hours, well before the 911 call was made. Opdycke admitted to struggling with a gambling addiction and acknowledged his mistake in leaving the children unattended.
During a search of his belongings, authorities discovered winning casino tickets and over $2,000 in cash. As a result, Opdycke was arrested and charged with one count of child abuse.
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