Mom Strapped Daughter in Minivan, Went Drinking for 5 Hours: Police

Police say a northeastern Pennsylvania woman locked her 2-month-old daughter in a minivan for five hours and drank at a bar.

Bethlehem Police arrived at the Keystone Pub around 11:30 p.m. Thursday after receiving a call about a baby in a vehicle. They said 32-year-old Lisa Altif identified herself as the van's owner but claimed she was only in the bar for 20 minutes.

The bar tab showed Altif had the first of five glasses of wine around 6:30 p.m., five hours earlier.

Police said the baby was buckled into a car seat that was strapped to the minivan's floor because the van lacked a back seat. The baby had a low body temperature from being in the cold van and was hospitalized to warm up.

Altif is charged with child endangerment, driving with a suspended license and related counts.

She remained at the county prison Friday and couldn't be reached for comment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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