Broussard Mother Accused Of Leaving Children In Her Car While Gambling

37-year-old Tara Jackson of Broussard has been booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center after allegedly leaving two small children inside a vehicle while playing video poker at a Truck Stop Casino in the 1300 block of Evangeline Thruway for about an hour and a half on Tuesday.

St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says Jackson has been charged with two counts of Child Desertion. Deputies removed the children - ages 1 and 5 - from the vehicle and arrested Jackson after finding her inside the casino.

The children have been placed into the custody of a guardian.