Toddler left in car outside strip club

GLENDALE, Colo., May 18 (UPI) -- A Colorado man allegedly left his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter locked in a car while he was in a strip club spending money meant for food for the girl.

The girl was rescued by the manager of an adult book store next door to Shotgun Willie's in Glendale, The Rocky Mountain News reported. He alerted officers in a passing squad car and told them the girl had been alone for about 25 minutes.

"The child appeared very afraid, and seemed to 'cower' in the rear seat," an officer wrote in his report. "There was no food or water left in the vehicle."

Police found Alan Baxter, 20, inside the club, with a beer. He had a wad of $1 bills he was using to tip the dancers.

Under questioning, Baxter eventually admitted he had come to the club with the toddler and that the registered owner of the car was his girlfriend. Police say he admitted that leaving the girl in the car was "very stupid."

Baxter was charged with neglect of a child. A club employee was fired for failing to notice that Baxter was still some weeks short of his 21st birthday.

No word on whether his girlfriend is now is ex-girlfriend.