Sheriff Says Man Went To Play Poker, Left 3-Year-Old Home Alone

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — One child was left home alone so his caregiver could play poker. Four more children were left at home so a caregiver could go to a job at Burger King.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said it made three arrests this week for child neglect involving caregivers who left children unattended.

Deputies arrested Anthony Macchi, 32, of Bayonet Point Aug. 18 after they said he left a 3-year-old at the child's mother's house in New Port Richey.

Deputies said Macchi dropped the child off at the mother's house around 9:30 p.m., opening the door and placing the toddler insider the home without checking to see if the mother was there. He then returned to his own home to resume a poker game. The child's mother came home around 10:30 p.m. and found the 3-year-old alone.

Also this week, Deputies arrested Heath Bierworth, 43, and Sara Nathanson, 31, of Hialeah Avenue in New Port Richey after they said Nathanson took Bierworth to his job at Burger King and left four children, ages 2 to 7, home alone.

Deputies were alerted when the 7- and 5-year-old children went to a neighbor's home to ask for food.

When questioned, Nathanson said she passed her son-in-law who was supposed to watch the children on the way to Burger King. She said she assumed he was going to the house.