Leaving kids in the car....

wino2006

I was at Target today and parked next to a mini-van in the parking lot. As I pulled up I noticed a huge golden retriever sitting quietly in the passenger seat. After getting DD2 out of the car to go inside I also noticed a toddler and infant buckled up in the van as well with no parent in sight. It was 30 degrees out today and overcast. I debated on saying something to someone in the store but resolved to wait and see if they were still there when I came back out after shopping which they weren't. WWYD? I can understand running in somewhere quickly where the vehicle would be in view the whole time, but there is no way the parent could see the mini-van from inside the Target store.

J+MS

I would have called tte cops.

Karschingham

uhhmmm that's weird.

 I would have sat there for maybe 5 mins or so to see where the hell Mom was just to make sure and if she didn't return I'd probably call the cops, I mean that is NOT okay if she just ran off...

adoubleu12

I would not ever, ever, even for a second go in a store and leave my kids in the car.  Ever.  For anything.  
I would be really tempted to go to costumer service and ask them to say something over the intercom. 

ETA:  So I guess there are some certain emergencies where I might have to, but only if it is completely necessary  .

MrsPteranodon

I leave the kids in the car when I run into our leasing office, but its 1-2 minutes max and I can see my locked car. 

I leave the kids in the car in the driveway while I unload groceries.

I leave the kids in the car when I grab a redbox (outside one. parked next to it)  

I would not leave my kids in the car and go into target or any store for that matter. 

Some things its easier and faster to do with the kids in the car. Going into target is not one of those.  

CoffeeBeen

Agree with pp.  Call the cops.  Part of me says notify the store manager - but you have to go inside to do that.

wino2006

Gastro:

I would have called the cops. There are so many scenarios with the info you provided that could have ended in tragedy. The only time I leave my toddler in the car is at the ATM (where the machine is so close that I can touch the car while I touch the ATM machine) or in my own driveway when I'm running in and out of the house loading or unloading.

Looking back and thinking about it more now, I wish I would have called the cops. I don't think I could forgive myself if something happened to those kids.

MrsWindyCity

Agree, I also would have called the cops.

Hesterlicious

People do it often in our small town for picking up something in a store. I won't do it unless I can see the car or if I forgot something in the house and he's already strapped in tight.

DH was selling someone a phone once and there were issues so it took about an hour. She went out twice to check on her LO. Good thing their store has half of main street on camera.

emriley84

Ironic that someone posted this, I just got finished reading an article from my local news. A 2yo was left in the car while her mom ran into a gas station. The baby was shot while she was inside, and is now at the hospital I work at. I'm sick, how could someone do something like that?!?

penguingrrl

I would have looked around to make sure that whatever adult they were with wasn't just returning a cart or something and then called the police. I'll admit that I considered leaving Emma in the car while I picked up Julia from K this afternoon. It's 38* and a freezing rain that's supposed to turn to snow and just miserable. But the car would have been in sight the entire time and I was gone less than 2 minutes (waited until I could see her teacher to hop out). The only reason I didn't was because she wanted to come with me.

But I would never do that to go into a store.

[Deleted User]

NMS at all.  If she's asleep & I have to run in the house from our driveway, I do it quick.  Target?  No flippin way.  Report theirasses. 

AshasaurusRex

I would have waited for a minute and then called the cops if the mom didn't show up.

CoffeeBeen

emriley84:

Ironic that someone posted this, I just got finished reading an article from my local news. A 2yo was left in the car while her mom ran into a gas station. The baby was shot while she was inside, and is now at the hospital I work at. I'm sick, how could someone do something like that?!?

WTF?!  Like intentionally or was caught in crossfire?  

Poor little baby, I hope she makes a full and speedy recovery. 

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

Um no. Just no.

Not sure that I would meddle, but it's definitely not something I'd do with my kids.

missyishere

CoffeeBeen:

emriley84:

Ironic that someone posted this, I just got finished reading an article from my local news. A 2yo was left in the car while her mom ran into a gas station. The baby was shot while she was inside, and is now at the hospital I work at. I'm sick, how could someone do something like that?!?

WTF?!  Like intentionally or was caught in crossfire?  

Poor little baby, I hope she makes a full and speedy recovery. 

That is so terribly sad ):  I really only leave DD in the car if I forgot something inside my home while heading out and will only take me 30 seconds to run inside. There is a mother in my hometown who forgot her child in the car, which lead to the unfortunate passing of her baby.  I just can't imagine... 

OP, I definitely would have called the police or at least waited for the mother.  I would also be concerned about the dog being in the car with them.  What if another car pulls up beside them, the dog then gets excitable, and he starts trampling all over the car?  I know my lab, and she gets very excitable in a car...

iheartsippycups

I would have waited for a parent to come & confronted them. I would not call the cops unless no parent came after a long period of time.

Libby1978

I would have called the cops and told a store manager.  That parent deserves a swift kick in the arse.

J+MS

mbenit4:

I don't have much faith in law enforcement as a whole so they just don't come to mind all the time.

::facepalm::

J+MS

mbenit4:

I don't have much faith in law enforcement as a whole so they just don't come to mind all the time.

::facepalm::

mbenit5

I wouldn't call the cops either. What are they going to do anyway?

Libby1978

mbenit5:

I wouldn't call the cops either. What are they going to do anyway?

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to leave a small child in the car alone.

[Deleted User]

Libby1978:

mbenit5:

I wouldn't call the cops either. What are they going to do anyway?

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to leave a small child in the car alone.

You replied to the fake mbenit. 

Did I mention today that I hate AEs?  I does. 

AshleyM1985

I would have sat in my car waiting for the parents, I would have written down all the car details and after about 10 mins, Called the police for sure.   I don't leave Jacob in the car alone unless the car is parked in the closed garage and still his door is open and the garage door to the kitchen is open, even when I pump gas or use the ATM, his window is open...

wino2006

Holls2011:

Is it possible the parent was returning the cart? I don't know if this was previously mentioned.

No. I was parked right next to the cart return and looked around and didn't see anyone.

bumpuser260585

My first thought was maybe the parent was returning the cart. I probably would have stuck around for a minute then called the cops.

azzyberry

I would have called the cops.  I called the cops on someone a few months ago who left there dog in the car with the windows rolled up and it was pretty hot outside.

That's inexcusable, IMO.

hmp1

I would love to leave my infant in the car when I run my toddler into school, but I don't. It is illegal and dangerous. I would have called the cops at Target.

ridesbuttons

I have left my kids in the car to: go in and pay for gas, get cash from a bank machine, unload groceries/luggage...that kind of thing.

A minute or two with them strapped in their seats with a locked car.  Oh, and in my hometown too. 

Leaving a kid in a car to go shopping for an extended period of time?  Nope.  No way.  And I am way relaxed (relatively) about this kind of thing.

MamatoA2010

That is never ok and I never, never, never leave DD unattended in my car alone not even for a minute. Its not worth the what-if's.

Wufroggy79

Leaving your kids in the car and going out of sight is illegal here.  I would have called the cops.  

cynnichinny13

MrsPteranodon:

I leave the kids in the car in the driveway while I unload groceries.

I leave the kids in the car when I grab a redbox (outside one. parked next to it)  

I would not leave my kids in the car and go into target or any store for that matter. 

Some things its easier and faster to do with the kids in the car. Going into target is not one of those.  

This. I leave him in there if I need to get groceries out of the car. Short trips where the car is within sight and 5 second walking distance. Target? Not cool dude, not cool. 

bumpuser5125333

Libby1978:

mbenit5:

I wouldn't call the cops either. What are they going to do anyway?

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to leave a small child in the car alone.

It isn't illegal everywhere. You can in WA as long as the car isn't running.  

suv75

How hard is it to grab a cart and put your kids in and take them with? Today, I forgot my sons jacket the park and remembered right before I turned completely out of the parking lot. He was already strapped in his carseat with no socks and shoes he got sand in them at the park so I took them off. The parking lot was a few blocks from the playground, but I still unstrapped him and carried all 26 lbs of him to and from the car to get his jacket. I was exhausted but worth avoiding the risk of leaving him in the car even if I could have sprinted to and from in less than 2 mins.