Trudy, I wouldn't wait that long before calling the cops. Any time they leave a kid in a car unattended is fucking bullshit. I take Owen and Olivia into the DRY CLEANERS with me and that only takes two minutes and it's a block from my house. I just. don't. do. it. Ever.
You did the right thing--and I wouldn't even argue with the woman. I'd just say, I called the cops on you. Because it's fucking wrong--my business or not. I did it.
Odds are that the child wouldn't be removed from the parents' custody--just the police would scare the parents into not doing that again. And it would be on record if it happened again. They could charge them with neglect or child endangering but better be safe than sorry when it comes to a child.
WFT? Who leaves toddlers alone in a car for 20 minutes anywhere, much less in a major metropolis? That sucks, Trudy--I'm glad you called everyone you could to try and raise some hell, even if it doesn't sound like it took.
I leave Em in the car at the ATM. I lock all the doors and I'm only 5 feet from her for 2 minutes at most, but I still feel horrid about it. And it's very very very rare.
I don't even like leaving my *cat* in the car alone for more than a few minutes.
These people have never seen any of the news stories in which cars are stolen with children in them? Have they been living on the moon? I know there's no limit to parental stupidity. We had a case here last week in which a guy went into a convenience store, leaving a toddler in a *running* car, which was instantly stolen. The perps dropped the kid off at a school they passed, but the kid spent the night alone in the cold. It's definitely the right thing to call children's services, although they're probably too overworked to do much. In some states, it's illegal to not report suspected child abuse and endangerment.
if you can't find a drive up ATM, leaving Em in the car might be the best choice. Fumbling with your card, and trying to watch a toddler could leave you vulnerable to robbery or worse.
Exactly. It's the only reason I leave her in the van. The ATM is behind the bank building. It's a good neighborhood, but it's also a moneyed neighborhood (Lord know why WE live there).
A lot of kids have died out here in the summer , because they were left in the car for 'a few minutes'. Thanks for calling, Trudy.
thanks for the update on VW,brenda. I am hoping there will be another one soon.
and my thoughts are with you, CalBil.
I recently read a court decision where the facts involved repossession of a car -- left unlocked and running -- with a sleeping baby in the back seat. Baby was returned to parents, car was not.
Trudy, you did what you could.
and if you can see the car ( and it isn't running) I see no good reason to get Em out while you are at the ATM.
