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Father Watches Races While Baby Dies, Police Say

Infant Left In Car Dies At Gulfstream Park

POSTED: Monday, March 15,
UPDATED: 4:20 pm EST March 15, 2004

Antonio Balta The lure of the race track outweighed the sense of a father, according to a videotaped confession given to police.

Broward Sheriff Office deputies say that father, Antonio Balta (pictured), 27, a horse groomer at Gulfstream Park, left the baby in a parked car at the track Saturday during the Florida Derby.

Temperatures inside the car were too hot for the child, and Balta reportedly found the baby limp and not breathing. He ran and got the baby's mother, Michelle Bashford, who works in the park at the Royal Palm Restaurant.

Bashford grabbed the baby and found a nurse while an officer called for help.

The baby was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital, but it was too late.

Balta is charged with manslaughter and is being held without bail at the Broward County Jail.

The apartment where the family lived is now empty. Bashford reportedly packed up her possessions and turned in the key Sunday night.

The baby was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital, but it was too late.

Balta is charged with manslaughter and is being held without bail at the Broward County Jail.

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