What are these parents thinking??

How can you go eat at a Restaurant while you leave a child who is one years old in the car? I have a one and 2 year old and I can't imagine leaving them in a car.

Hello...wake up everyone.

If you can take responsibilties of a life than don't bother having kids.

 

I am not disagreeing with what anyone is saying....but when does one's opinion outweigh the parent's opinion? That is all this is...one's opinion versus another's opinion....one doesn't make it right and one doesn't make it wrong...and by the way...it is not against the law to just leave a kid in the car or unnatended...there has to be other circumstances involved....Just because I may not think that it is right, does not mean it is not right....Think about it!

 

Does anyone have a link to the actual law? I would be curious, because I was under the impression it is illegal to leave an underaged child in the car.

 

The problem is what age is onderage? There is none...You have to look at other factors such as...

1. 100 degree day and is the child old enough to let themselves out of the car when they get too hot...

Most of these calls get referred to DSS and very few of them are ever followed up on...but as far as criminal law, it is very weak.

 

In the cases that have been in this thread, one would think common sense would dictate that any child under the ages mentioned here (infant, 1,2 4 etc.) would be TOO YOUNG to be left in the car in a store parking lot. Beyond the fact that they could die of heatstroke or freeze to death depending on the unpredictable weather here, what about all these sickos that would take an unattended child. I guess these parents don't put much value on the life of their child to risk it over some inconvenience of taking them into the restaurant or store.

 

Michelle Gibson's on was 8. I'd say that's old enough to let himself out of the car... but he didn't.

http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060609/NEWS01/60609019/1011

 

The following is from the NC Dept of SS website, it addresses leaving children alone at home, I can't find anything about leaving them in a car. Seems to me, depending on the circumstances, that would fall under child endangerment laws and they should throw you under the jail as far as I'm concerned. I'll keep looking for something regarding cars. Just because it may not be technically against the law certainly does not make it the right thing to do. But like was said earlier, you can't prosecute someone being stupid. It's too bad.............................

What is the legal age when a child may be left home alone? There is no age specified by law that a child can be left alone in North Carolina. Parents and caretakers must look at the child's maturity, the safety of the community, and access to emergency assistance. A child may be mature enough to stay alone, but not to care for younger siblings. If you are concerned that a child is left alone and is unsafe, call your county department of social services.

 

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/RTF/BySection/Chapter_7B/GS_7B-101.rtf

§ 7B‑101 (1) b.Creates or allows to be created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to the juvenile by other than accidental means;

 

Thanks Wayne. Seems to leave a lot to the individual prosecuter's discretion doesn't it??

 

I believe it would be a case of reasonable assumption, as in whether a reasonable person would agree there was or was not a risk associated with the action. That would leave a lot of room for question in some cases, but in most cases the person should understand the risk given the 'reasonableness' is determined by the views of the locality.

In the case of leaving a child in a car unattended, I believe we have seen the general view presented for this locality. So, if anyone might disagree all they need to consider is whether 12 of these people would think differently if they were on the jury deciding whether the actions were or were not abuse/neglect .....

 

Good point!

 

Heart Breaking!!!!!




Heat contributed to deaths of sisters in car

The Associated Press
FOREST CITY - Three young sisters found inside their mother's car Friday died from heat-related causes, authorities said Saturday.
A preliminary autopsy report showed that Asia Shepard, 2, and her twin sister, Bryasia, suffered heat-related deaths, said Rutherford County Lt. Detective Billy Scoggins.

Their 4-year-old sister, Anieniya Miller, was unconscious when the three were found. She was flown to Mission Hospitals in Asheville, where she died shortly after midnight Saturday apparently of heatstroke, Scoggins said. An autopsy was planned for Monday.

The girls got into the four-door Honda that was parked outside the family's townhouse near Forest City.

Scoggins said tests showed the temperature inside the car exceeded 100 degrees. Temperatures in the area reached the high 70s and low 80s Friday.

The girls' mother, Ann Latrice Miller, 26, found the children in the car about 1:30 p.m., but Scoggins said Saturday it was not clear how long the children had been inside the vehicle.

Authorities continue to investigate the deaths, Scoggins said

 

^^ I saw that yesterday and wondered just how long those kids had been out of adult supervision. They were all WAY too young to be outside alone IMO.

Absolutely heartbreaking.....................................

 

We lost a friendship because we brought this up, because we were concerned about the children in question. We were slammed because when it was brought up, it was justified and called an over reaction and basically told to mind our own business. go to the link and see how fast this can happen to a child.

http://www.virtua.org/page.cfm?id=healthsavvy_display&savvyID=210

 

At least you tried. You just can't be too careful! Some friends of ours had their kid, maybe 2 or 3 get out of their house one night, he climbed up and unhooked one of those hook and eye locks at adult height to get out. They had put that on there because he kept unlocking all the doors! :shock: Luckily they lived in base housing and they jumped up from bed as soon as they heard the door open, but that definitley could have had tragic results. Just goes to show you, you have to sleep with one eye open when you have very young children.

 

Many people seem to vastly over-estimate the abilities and maturity of their children. They aren't pets or mini-adults. Even the most perfect child isn't THAT trustworthy...they just don't have very much judgement ability.

Maybe it is just natural selection in action, if these people are THAT stupid, thier kids probably are, too. Pity the parents' ignorance doesn't endanger themselves, but the innocent babies.

These folks are why the warning labels are on the iron (do not iron clothes while you are wearing them) and the hairdryer (do not use while showering) and the hemmoroid cream (do not take by mouth). Maybe kids should have peel off warning labels that progress as they age.

0-10 Do not leave unattended
10-16 Do not believe 1/4 of what they say, it is the hormones talking
16-18 Do not give car keys after 10 pm

Just kidding...kind of...

 

Amber Alert Issued For Missing Rocky Mount Girl
http://www.wral.com/news/10314486/detail.html

POSTED: 6:14 am EST November 14, 2006
UPDATED: 7:01 am EST November 14, 2006

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A statewide Amber Alert is in effect for a little girl from Rocky Mount.

Two-year-old Mariah Poland was last seen in the backseat of her mother's car in the parking lot of Cousins Food Mart, located on West Ridge Street.

Detectives said Amy Calvin, Poland's mother, got out of her car and left it running with her daughter inside. Investigators said a man jumped into the car and took off.

Poland is described as a white female measuring 3 feet tall and weighing 30 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a red sleeper with white snowflakes. The suspect is described as a black male wearing a dark heavy jacket and black jeans.

Authorities are looking for a 1994 teal green Honda Accord with N.C. license tag VRD-3824. If you have any information, you are asked to contact local authorities.

 

WILMINGTON -- A 10-month-old baby has been temporarily taken away from its parents, after authorities say the couple left the child at home alone while they went out drinking.

Prosecutors say 21-year-old Michael Lantz and his 20-year-old wife, Kira Lantz, were riding in a taxi when Michael Lantz became sick. The taxi driver called police. When officers arrived, the couple told them their baby was home alone.

Prosecutors say the two will not face criminal charges yet. The Department of Social Services is requiring them to take parenting classes. If the couple follows all the DSS guidelines, they will receive full custody of their child and no criminal charges will be filed.

Reported by Kacey Gaumer


Heck, just take a "parenting class" and everything will be A-ok. WHY would these DA's not face criminal charges??? :evil: