By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
A Rancho Cordova couple who left an infant in a car while they gambled at the Thunder Valley Casino near Lincoln have been placed on four years probation and sentenced to 60 days in jail for felony child abuse.
However, Placer County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Penney said that Thuan Huy Nguyen (photo bottom left) and Panfila Phu Phan (photo bottom right), both 27, can apply for alternative sentencing, such as a work project, to fulfill the 60-day jail term.
In addition, if they successfully follow their probation, including a mandatory one-year parenting class, they could have the felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor after 18 months, according to a Placer County District Attorney's Office news release.
Nguyen and Phan were arrested April 13 after they left their 7-week-old daughter unattended in their vehicle in the casino parking garage for about 2-1/2 hours. A security guard discovered the infant in the vehicle.
The two pleaded no contest to the felony charge on June 30 and issued an apology that was read in court by their attorney, Anthony Palik, who said both were remorseful and knew they had made a bad decision.
The baby, now 6 months old, is in the custody of her grandmother. The parents have visitation rights.
The parents could become eligible to regain custody if they continue to comply with conditions of their probation and Child Protection Services in Sacramento County, according to prosecutor Joe McInerney of the Placer County District Attorney's Office.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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