NSAIF related: Leaving kids in cars...

IBackBevo · July 2013

Yesterday I was in this shopping center around lunch. I parked next to a minivan. I noticed the car was running which I thought was odd. Then I saw some movement in the backseat so I peaked inside. There were two toddlers in the backseat in their carseats. They looked to be about 2...probably twins or, at least, very close in age. I was taken aback and really unsure of what to do. I decided to just watch the car so I went inside to get my sandwich and continued to watch the minivan. It took about 10-15 minutes to get my sandwich. Right as I came out, the Mom came out of Trader Joe's (a grocery store). I said something to someone about the situation later on and their response was, "She had better be glad it was only you and not someone who would either steal the kids or call CPS." After my friend's response, I started wondering if maybe I should have said something to the woman... but I also didn't want to be Judgy McJudgerson.

Is leaving your kids in a locked car while you run a short errand acceptable? I would never do it with my son, but I also only have one kid. However, I personally would be paranoid that someone would break in and steal my kids or steal my car with my kids in it...

Am I off base in thinking this was a bad idea? Have y'all ever done this? I guess part of my thought process is that it gets so hot here in Texas...although, it wasn't that hot yesterday.

racheyt0227 · July 2013

I would probably call the police. Not acceptable at all..

Ruthie04 · July 2013

As a social worker, mother of twins, and former Texan, I can honestly say that is not okay. Not only does it get too hot there, but there is no guarantee your a/c would hold up or that your child wouldn't have an issue that would require your urgent attention. Or, someone could have harmed her children. I think I would have told a manager and called the police. They can take action if they feel it is necessary. There is no way I would engage someone in a parking lot. That could put my safety at risk.

LnR70707 · July 2013

Not okay, particularly with the heat wave most of the country is having. The only time I've ever left DS in the car was a gas station when I didn't realize the pay at the pump feature was broken....and I could see the car the whole time.

kaf7 · July 2013

Not ok. I would've called the police too.

IBackBevo · July 2013

kaf7:
Not ok. I would've called the police too.

I thought about it, but until I saw her come out of Trader Joe's I wasn't sure if perhaps maybe she was somewhere she could see the vehicle (like in the above situation with running in to the gas station) as there were a couple of places around where she could have seen the vehicle from the store--like the sandwich shop I was in. Still, it bothered me enough that I kept a very close eye on the minivan the entire time I was getting my sandwich. Also, part of what made me pause on calling the cops is that it was raining so I though, "Well, maybe this is just a rare instance and maybe I'm being overly cautious and judgmental against a Mom with twins who doesn't want to drag them out of the car in the rain... " But I know I would not have left my LO regardless. I guess next time I will go with my gut. I just hope that whoever she is, she doesn't do it again.

TJ1979 · July 2013

Honestly, I thought it was against the law.

RoseHQ12 · July 2013

Not okay. That being said, it is a tough spot for you to be in & when you don't know the circumstances, I am sure it would be hard to make that call. She is lucky that you were concerned enough to watch her minivan!

mcgeeva · July 2013

Not okay at all! And the fact it's this hot out makes it 100 times worse. Yes lugging your kids while running errands but do it or wait till you have help and run alone. No excuses. Too many horrible things happen daily and running to traders joes just isn't that important

Dragonfly1226 · July 2013

It's not okay at all. Ever. I probably would have called the cops.

ccam · July 2013

I wouldn't leave DS in the car, as annoying as it is to unbuckle, get him out, etc. to run inside for something quick. In this situation, I probably would have just hung around and made sure someone came back out to the car.

ELF4321 · July 2013

I would have called 911 if she wasn't within eyesight of the car.

Saraevh · July 2013

I wouldn't do it ... I mean ... seriously? Leave the car RUNNING with two unsupervised toddlers inside, in SUMMER to do a quick grocery shop? Ah. No. That woman is nuts.

Not the same situation, but I called the cops once after seeing a man driving with his daughter on his LAP. I probably would have called again if I had seen what you saw. People are so dumb.

queenbone · July 2013

I know you aren't supposed to leave your children in the car, but I sometimes cheat this rule, If I park in front of or w/i view of the ATM or if I have loaded everyone into the car and realize I forgot something in the house. But I never leave the keys in the ignition (seems like an invitation to steal the car). I'd certainly not go inside a store for 15 minutes.

I am curious at what age a child can legally be unattended in the car? My guess is old enough to unbuckle themself and open the door to exit if needed, but I have no idea.

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