QLD: Couple investigated for leaving kids at McDonald's

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2008
QLD: Couple investigated for leaving kids at McDonald's

Police say they're investigating an incident .. where a baby and two other children
were allegedly left at a McDonald's restaurant in north Queensland for several hours ..

while their parents drank at a hotel.

Police officers were called to the Atherton restaurant about 4.30 (AEST) yesterday
afternoon .. after staff became concerned about the kids' welfare.

Mareeba police say it appears a woman left her 12-month-old baby with her 10-year-old
daughter and a 12-year-old boy .. while she went to fetch the boy's mother from a nearby
pub.

It's estimated the children were without their parents for two hours.

The restaurant's franchisee is former Australian Test and Queensland Origin rugby league
forward GREG DOWLING.

He says it's the first time he's contacted police about parents dumping children ..

but maintains it's common practice.

AAP RTV djp/pjo/tm/af

KEYWORD: RESTAURANT (BRISBANE)

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