Gambling dad in court for leaving son alone

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- A father accused of leaving his son in a car for hours while he gambled is in some serious legal trouble.

32-year-old Kyuyoun Lee was aided by a Korean translator inside Norwich Superior Court. He's accused of leaving his seven-month-old son in a car for seven hours while he gambled at Mohegan Sun.

"What does he have to say about that," asked News 8's Tina Detelj.

"Well I definitely think the allegations are very serious," replied Sung Ho Hwang, Lee's attorney.

News 8 learned more about the Waterbury father from attorney Sung Ho Hwang. He tells us he is trying to get his client accelerated rehabilitation because he has no prior criminal record and is the sole supporter of his family. However, he also has a gambling problem and is now seeking help.

"Are you saying that his addiction led him to make some poor decisions," Detelj asked.

"Yeah absolutely," said Hwang.

"This is a human life, a little...an infant," said Tammy S., of New London. "This is an infant baby that cannot handle being out in the sun right now like we are today."

"There are certain mitigating factors," said Hwang. "It was overnight. He did check on the baby every couple of hours, but still I understand that was a serious charge."

Lee faces charges of leaving a child unsupervised and risk of injury to a minor.

At the time of his arrest Lee's infant son was taken away by DCF. He was returned to the family the next day, but his attorney says that Lee is not allowed to watch him without his wife present.

"What does his wife have to say about this," Detelj asked.

"Obviously she is very concerned and she knows that he has this problem," Hwang replied, "and she's helping him with it, with the process."

This is their first child.