Parenting: 1-Year-Olds Community
Baby is becoming a toddler. She may be walking, talking, and showing her ... more
Announcements
You have a 1-Year-Old and endless questions?
Welcome! Join the group to learn, laugh and stay on track with your 1-year-old's growth and development.
Welcome! Join the group to learn, laugh and stay on track with your 1-year-old's growth and development.
Child left in car
earleyml1012 posted:
On my lunch break I ran to a store and when I packed I heard a car alarm going off right across from me. I took a closer look and saw a little boy about 3 sitting in the passenger seat screaming with tears running down his face. I look a little closer and notice that there's no one in there with him. For a brief second, I was going to call the police but I thought I'd give the parent the benefit of doubt and going into the store to see if she/he could be paged. While I'm talking to an employee about it, the mom happened to be right there so she dropped her stuff and ran out to him. If we couldn't have found the parent, I was going to go back out and call the police. That just ticked me off!! He was so frightened. Who knows how long she was in the store. I don't even leave DD in the car alone to walk the 20+ steps to the library door to return a book. I was furious but I didn't have the guts to yell at her. WWYD?
12 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Child left in carOn my lunch break I ran to a store and when I packed I heard a car alarm going off right across from me. I took a closer look and saw a little boy about 3 sitting in the passenger seat screaming with tears running down his face. I look a little closer and notice that there's no one in there with him. For a brief second, I was going to call the police but I thought I'd give the parent the benefit of doubt and going into the store to see if she/he could be paged. While I'm talking to an employee about it, the mom happened to be right there so she dropped her stuff and ran out to him. If we couldn't have found the parent, I was going to go back out and call the police. That just ticked me off!! He was so frightened. Who knows how long she was in the store. I don't even leave DD in the car alone to walk the 20+ steps to the library door to return a book. I was furious but I didn't have the guts to yell at her. WWYD?
Emmyl responded:
I don't know if I just notice it more, of if it's actually happening more, but where I live, just in the last couple of months, there's ben news reports of 3 or 4 people leaving small children in the car by themselves, with the car OFF and it's been close to 100 degrees! Of course, I don't care how hot or cool it is, you don't leave small children in the car by themselves! I try to be as nonjudgemental a person as I can, but more often I just think these people are stupid and self-centered. I can't stand it. I'd like to think I would tell the person off. And in my hormonal, impregnated state I probably actually would. But IDK if I would lose my nerve or not. But seriously, what are they thinking? I'm like you, I don't leave DS alone, anywhere, to go even just a few steps. A .lady on the news left her 3 year old daughter by herself at 1:00 in the morning to go dancing. A neighbor saw the child out in the middle of the road at 3 am. It's really infuriating.
Report This| Share this:Child left in carI don't know if I just notice it more, of if it's actually happening more, but where I live, just in the last couple of months, there's ben news reports of 3 or 4 people leaving small children in the car by themselves, with the car OFF and it's been close to 100 degrees! Of course, I don't care how hot or cool it is, you don't leave small children in the car by themselves! I try to be as nonjudgemental a person as I can, but more often I just think these people are stupid and self-centered. I can't stand it. I'd like to think I would tell the person off. And in my hormonal, impregnated state I probably actually would. But IDK if I would lose my nerve or not. But seriously, what are they thinking? I'm like you, I don't leave DS alone, anywhere, to go even just a few steps. A .lady on the news left her 3 year old daughter by herself at 1:00 in the morning to go dancing. A neighbor saw the child out in the middle of the road at 3 am. It's really infuriating.
sarahaguirre responded:
I don't know. I have a really big mouth when I'm upset and am not a good actress to have been decent to her. Did you see how much stuff was in her cart to kind of gauge how long she could have been in there? Where I live it's still hot so if a parent left their kid in the car I would have called 911 with out any hesitation. If I know DD is going to be a pain in my rear end I will not take her in any store. I just wait until DH comes home so I can then go grocery shopping or have him pick up whatever we need on the way home. Even if this kid was sleeping I don't see any excuse as to why she had to leave him in there. Even if she was just buying a gallon of milk.
Me (27) DH (27) DD Stella born 3/10/2009 Baby Boy's EDD 1/28/11
Report This| Share this:Child left in carI don't know. I have a really big mouth when I'm upset and am not a good actress to have been decent to her. Did you see how much stuff was in her cart to kind of gauge how long she could have been in there? Where I live it's still hot so if a parent left their kid in the car I would have called 911 with out any hesitation. If I know DD is going to be a pain in my rear end I will not take her in any store. I just wait until DH comes home so I can then go grocery shopping or have him pick up whatever we need on the way home. Even if this kid was sleeping I don't see any excuse as to why she had to leave him in there. Even if she was just buying a gallon of milk.
TyPatrick08 responded:
WOW people just dont think!
I probably would have stood by the side of the car and try talking to the little guy to calm him down. Wait 5 minutes no one shows up at the car I would be calling the police. Poor little guy.
I probably would have stood by the side of the car and try talking to the little guy to calm him down. Wait 5 minutes no one shows up at the car I would be calling the police. Poor little guy.
Me (23) DF (26) Tyler born 11-19-08 7lb9oz 20 1/2 inc 18 month check up 26lb 33in
Report This| Share this:Child left in carWOW people just dont think! <br /> <br />I probably would have stood by the side of the car and try talking to the little guy to calm him down. Wait 5 minutes no one shows up at the car I would be calling the police. Poor little guy.
mamatobe08 responded:
I would have called the police right away. IMO there is no excuse for it, and the police need to be notified. I don't know if they would dive deeper for more information or not, but if she leaves them in the car who knows what else she may do, and I think the police need to be aware. In many states it is illegal to leave your child in the car for any amount of time.
I can not imagine something being more important than my child...I would never leave a 3 year old sitting in the car alone. It breaks my heart seeing how you described him. :(
Earlier this summer, here, a mother left a child in their car because she was sleeping....for 2 hours. Umm...are you insane?!? The poor little girl died. I love a good baby nap, but I'm not going to leave him in the car by himself to ensure he gets a nap.
I can not imagine something being more important than my child...I would never leave a 3 year old sitting in the car alone. It breaks my heart seeing how you described him. :(
Earlier this summer, here, a mother left a child in their car because she was sleeping....for 2 hours. Umm...are you insane?!? The poor little girl died. I love a good baby nap, but I'm not going to leave him in the car by himself to ensure he gets a nap.
Report This| Share this:Child left in carI would have called the police right away. IMO there is no excuse for it, and the police need to be notified. I don't know if they would dive deeper for more information or not, but if she leaves them in the car who knows what else she may do, and I think the police need to be aware. In many states it is illegal to leave your child in the car for any amount of time. <br /><br />I can not imagine something being more important than my child...I would never leave a 3 year old sitting in the car alone. It breaks my heart seeing how you described him. :(<br /><br />Earlier this summer, here, a mother left a child in their car because she was sleeping....for 2 hours. Umm...are you insane?!? The poor little girl died. I love a good baby nap, but I'm not going to leave him in the car by himself to ensure he gets a nap.
earleyml1012 replied to sarahaguirre's response:
She was exchanging something...I think b/c I saw her at customer service (it's at the front of the store). She did have stuff she was exchanging it for so who knows how long that took her. Today it's rainy and around 70s here, so it's not hot but I still thought it was stupid. Not to mention the car alarm drawing attention to the kid alone in the car.
Last week, DD was sick so I took her to the pedi and on the way home I had to stop for medicine. She fell asleep in the car, so I took her out of her seat and carried her 25 lb sleeping body into the store. I didn't care that she was sleeping, there's no way she was staying unattended even for a few minutes. I figured if she woke up, she'd go back to sleep if she was tired enough and she did!
I agree with PP that people are just self-centered. I look out for DD's well-being before my "comfort" of shopping. If I want to go alone, I wait until DH is around to watch her.
Last week, DD was sick so I took her to the pedi and on the way home I had to stop for medicine. She fell asleep in the car, so I took her out of her seat and carried her 25 lb sleeping body into the store. I didn't care that she was sleeping, there's no way she was staying unattended even for a few minutes. I figured if she woke up, she'd go back to sleep if she was tired enough and she did!
I agree with PP that people are just self-centered. I look out for DD's well-being before my "comfort" of shopping. If I want to go alone, I wait until DH is around to watch her.
Report This| Share this:Child left in carShe was exchanging something...I think b/c I saw her at customer service (it's at the front of the store). She did have stuff she was exchanging it for so who knows how long that took her. Today it's rainy and around 70s here, so it's not hot but I still thought it was stupid. Not to mention the car alarm drawing attention to the kid alone in the car. <br /> <br />Last week, DD was sick so I took her to the pedi and on the way home I had to stop for medicine. She fell asleep in the car, so I took her out of her seat and carried her 25 lb sleeping body into the store. I didn't care that she was sleeping, there's no way she was staying unattended even for a few minutes. I figured if she woke up, she'd go back to sleep if she was tired enough and she did! <br /> <br />I agree with PP that people are just self-centered. I look out for DD's well-being before my "comfort" of shopping. If I want to go alone, I wait until DH is around to watch her.
elegi23 responded:
That is crazy!!! I wouldn't go shopping and leave DD in the car. I know I've run inside one particular gas station to pay and left DD in the car before, but honestly that's only if I can see the car from inside the gas station. We live in a small town and there's one gas station with 2 pumps, never a line and they only take cash (they used to do full service, but they don't get enough business to do that anymore). Besides that, I've never left DD alone in the car. I won't go into a building where I can't see DD, and I'm paranoid someone will take her. I think the gas station is the exception but that's only because of the circumstances.
All I think of is how many children have died for being left in the car on a hot day. :-( I remember reading an article, I think from Toronto, where this lady accidentally locked her keys in the car with her 6 week daughter in there too. Well, she called the police and they told her it would take 3 hours, and to just get a taxi to where she's going and they would call her back when they where there. So they sent her a taxi to pick her up, and luckily the taxi driver was able to get into the car with a hangar. That made me angry. I guess the dispatcher got in trouble, but that is a little ridiculous.
All I think of is how many children have died for being left in the car on a hot day. :-( I remember reading an article, I think from Toronto, where this lady accidentally locked her keys in the car with her 6 week daughter in there too. Well, she called the police and they told her it would take 3 hours, and to just get a taxi to where she's going and they would call her back when they where there. So they sent her a taxi to pick her up, and luckily the taxi driver was able to get into the car with a hangar. That made me angry. I guess the dispatcher got in trouble, but that is a little ridiculous.
Me (22), DH(30) DD Eleora Marylin 07/23/09
TTC2 (since 05/10)
Report This| Share this:Child left in carThat is crazy!!! I wouldn't go shopping and leave DD in the car. I know I've run inside one particular gas station to pay and left DD in the car before, but honestly that's only if I can see the car from inside the gas station. We live in a small town and there's one gas station with 2 pumps, never a line and they only take cash (they used to do full service, but they don't get enough business to do that anymore). Besides that, I've never left DD alone in the car. I won't go into a building where I can't see DD, and I'm paranoid someone will take her. I think the gas station is the exception but that's only because of the circumstances.<br /> <br />All I think of is how many children have died for being left in the car on a hot day. :-( I remember reading an article, I think from Toronto, where this lady accidentally locked her keys in the car with her 6 week daughter in there too. Well, she called the police and they told her it would take 3 hours, and to just get a taxi to where she's going and they would call her back when they where there. So they sent her a taxi to pick her up, and luckily the taxi driver was able to get into the car with a hangar. That made me angry. I guess the dispatcher got in trouble, but that is a little ridiculous.
Silver623 responded:
Some people will never learn! Every year kids die in the cars that their parents left them in. Why take unnecessary risks like that? Shopping with my 2 (4 and 18 mos) is a huge PITA, but it's gotta be done. DS (4) has actually asked to wait in the car! No way! So many things could happen, you just never know. So what if they are asleep, you carry them in or go home and go back out later. I would have stayed by the car and waited a few mins and then called the police. If something happened to that child, I'd never forgive myself for not waiting to make sure he was okay. I am not very confrontational but I probably would have commented that it's not safe to leave your kid in the car. I think people know the risks but think it won't happen to them.
Report This| Share this:Child left in carSome people will never learn! Every year kids die in the cars that their parents left them in. Why take unnecessary risks like that? Shopping with my 2 (4 and 18 mos) is a huge PITA, but it's gotta be done. DS (4) has actually asked to wait in the car! No way! So many things could happen, you just never know. So what if they are asleep, you carry them in or go home and go back out later. I would have stayed by the car and waited a few mins and then called the police. If something happened to that child, I'd never forgive myself for not waiting to make sure he was okay. I am not very confrontational but I probably would have commented that it's not safe to leave your kid in the car. I think people know the risks but think it won't happen to them.
sarahann1978 responded:
I would have called the police, and not even gone in looking for the mom. She is lucky you gave her the benefit of the doubt. That is way too little to be left alone whether it's hot or not. He could have gotten all kinds of hurt, or kidnapped.
Good for you for looking out for him!
Good for you for looking out for him!
Sarah (31), DH(29), DS (Jan. 09) sarahaburger.blogspot.com
Report This| Share this:Child left in carI would have called the police, and not even gone in looking for the mom. She is lucky you gave her the benefit of the doubt. That is way too little to be left alone whether it's hot or not. He could have gotten all kinds of hurt, or kidnapped. <br /><br />Good for you for looking out for him!
Poisongirl98 responded:
Just about every time I go to this daycare/school where I see one of clients for services, I see a little boy about 2 or 3 in his carseat with the car running. I guess this is a frequent occurence, that the parent leaves him in there while she drops off her older child. This is a nice school too. I'm sure other parents there know she does this as well. Since I am there for professional reasons, I don't think it's really the right time for me to say something to her. I guess that in her situation it's accepted by others, by I have a hard time with it.
Report This| Share this:Child left in carJust about every time I go to this daycare/school where I see one of clients for services, I see a little boy about 2 or 3 in his carseat with the car running. I guess this is a frequent occurence, that the parent leaves him in there while she drops off her older child. This is a nice school too. I'm sure other parents there know she does this as well. Since I am there for professional reasons, I don't think it's really the right time for me to say something to her. I guess that in her situation it's accepted by others, by I have a hard time with it.
mol13 replied to Poisongirl98's response:
I would think that with you being a professional, you could easily address the daycare provider about it. I think I would, if I were in a similar situation.
It's a PITA sometimes with the kids to go in and out of places, but that's what you have to do, if you don't have someone to watch them. The furthest I'll go with the kids in the car is the 8 feet to return my shopping cart and even then sometimes I'll just leave it at my spot.
It's good, though, that DS1 is finally strong enough where I can expect him to walk with me while I carry DS2. Or, in CostCo, there are two seats in every cart.
It's a PITA sometimes with the kids to go in and out of places, but that's what you have to do, if you don't have someone to watch them. The furthest I'll go with the kids in the car is the 8 feet to return my shopping cart and even then sometimes I'll just leave it at my spot.
It's good, though, that DS1 is finally strong enough where I can expect him to walk with me while I carry DS2. Or, in CostCo, there are two seats in every cart.
Report This| Share this:Child left in carI would think that with you being a professional, you could easily address the daycare provider about it. I think I would, if I were in a similar situation.<br /><br />It's a PITA sometimes with the kids to go in and out of places, but that's what you have to do, if you don't have someone to watch them. The furthest I'll go with the kids in the car is the 8 feet to return my shopping cart and even then sometimes I'll just leave it at my spot.<br /><br />It's good, though, that DS1 is finally strong enough where I can expect him to walk with me while I carry DS2. Or, in CostCo, there are two seats in every cart.
Poisongirl98 replied to mol13's response:
Unfortnately, I'm sure the school is aware of this already, as there have been other parents right there when she does this and teachers just inside the door, so unfortunately it looks like no one has said anything to her thus far and/or it's "accepted practice." If someone did say something to her, apparently she doesn't care. She must do this everytime she drops off her older child, as everytime I've seen that van there the child is always in the car, and he looks perfectly fine like he's used to that routine.
Report This| Share this:Child left in carUnfortnately, I'm sure the school is aware of this already, as there have been other parents right there when she does this and teachers just inside the door, so unfortunately it looks like no one has said anything to her thus far and/or it's "accepted practice." If someone did say something to her, apparently she doesn't care. She must do this everytime she drops off her older child, as everytime I've seen that van there the child is always in the car, and he looks perfectly fine like he's used to that routine.
mol13 replied to Poisongirl98's response:
I dono...if other people are watching then it theoretically means that the kid is seen and not in immediate danger but even so, it just doesn't sit right.
If the child in the car is really difficult for one reason or another, or maybe has a disability, who knows...you still find a way to get some definite supervision
If the child in the car is really difficult for one reason or another, or maybe has a disability, who knows...you still find a way to get some definite supervision
Report This| Share this:Child left in carI dono...if other people are watching then it theoretically means that the kid is seen and not in immediate danger but even so, it just doesn't sit right.<br /><br />If the child in the car is really difficult for one reason or another, or maybe has a disability, who knows...you still find a way to get some definite supervision
Spotlight: Member Stories
Me (32) Proud work from home mama to my petite little pixie, born 9.28.08, and my bouncing baby boy is due to arrive 5.14.10.
Popular Discussions
Helpful Tips
Sippy Tether!
http://www.comfykids.eu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=102 I got 2 of these. 1 for DD and 1 for DS. They attach to their sippy ... More
Was this Helpful?
23
of
36 found this helpful
Related News
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Member Communities
- Dieting Club: 10 - 25 Lbs Member Community Share Your Tips and Support!
- Caregiving Member Community The Support and Understanding You Need!
- Parenting Friends Talking Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!
-
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.