I have four kids 6 and younger,and have heard people say its illegal to keep children unattended in autos. (but for how long?)It is soo snowy, cold and icy in the wintertime that I feel it is safer to keep them seatbelted in my warmed vehicle with keys out of ignition and doors locked while I run into a gas station to pay for gas or while I run up to the school to pick up my older kids. If I'm only gone for a minute or so can I get into legal trouble for doing this? What's your opinion/knowledge on this as a parent or law enforcer?
2007-01-31 07:14:44 · 13 answers · asked by jessBcuz 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
As a parent, I understand your point totally; as a police officer, it's not a good idea to do so. Someone could snatch one of your children out of the car in a hot second. Let's say you're paying for gas and look at the cashier, someone pulls up and block your view, you go to pump your gas, your other children are screaming,while a car just sped off,you realize one of your children is gone. It happens;even when children are in car seats.
2007-01-31 07:27:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Technically (meaning "the law"), yes.
It's an interesting argument, though. It seems more unsafe to walk across an icy parking lot than to sit in the car for just 5 minutes, right?
But it's not particularly safe to leave the kids in the car, either. First, you've turned off the car. So, it will get cold. If you're delayed, the temperature in the car will drop.
If the keys are left anywhere in the car, kids can get 'em. You've said you've removed them, though.
Doors locked? A child of 3 or 4 can easily get out of their car sear, climb over, and open the front door (which has no child safety lock).
I know... it's tempting. I've wanted to do it many times. But, even if I was sure my kids would be safe, I just don't do it. If for no other reason that someone is going to walk by the car, see unattended kids, and call the police or child protective services (especially at a school!). Do you really want CPS to show up at your home to interview you, examine your house, talk to your friends about what kind of parent you are?
It may not happen. But it could.
You also say you have 4 kids. Are they all YOUR kids? If not, you've got a whole other issue with the other parents.
2007-01-31 07:28:47 · answer #2 · answered by Jay 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what state you live in, but my sister's boyfriend works for DYFS (aka child protection agency in NJ) and he says that any child left alone in a car or elsewhere is an issue.
It is especially a problem in a running car as things could really go wrong. Think about a sudden fire, car jacking and/or any additonal problems (extreme heat or cold).
A DYFS worker was fired 2 years ago for doing that, and from what I hear from my sister's BF, most children who are left unattended like this are taken into state custody and the parent is issued a ticket.
2007-01-31 19:30:48 · answer #3 · answered by anynameiwant 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st scenario - So you go inside to pay for gas and one of the children starts to strangle. Oh darn! There's two people in front of you and it actually takes 2-3 minutes rather that 1-2.
Unless your 6 year old knows how to spot infant strangulation and can perform the Heimlich manoeuver inside a car on an infant who is belted into a car restraint seat, then your child is dead.
2nd scenario - A child molester is in the area watching for opportunities to snatch a child. Unless your child/children have black belts or carry guns, then in that '2 minutes' you're inside, the window is easily broken and one, even two of your children are kidnapped and gone for 60 seconds before you even realize it.
Need I say more.
2007-01-31 07:27:06 · answer #4 · answered by krazykritik 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you can go where you sight is off of the vehicle and you cant see the children.. it can be neglect.. id suggest paying for gas at the pump. and having the older children stand in a location that you can grab them and see the car at the same time.. kids can not only let them selves out of things but it only takes a moment for someone to grab them, and unattented underage children in a car with no legal addult in sight is a nono
or you can ask someone you might now to stand by for you if you have someone near that you do now and trust??
2007-01-31 07:41:46 · answer #5 · answered by Island Girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
particular it incredibly is illegitimate. would not count if is warm out or not. it incredibly is toddler forget and endangerment of a young person. She could be arrested and charged with various offenses. Sorry,yet i'm chuffed I never had a babysitter like your mom. That childs mothers and fathers are trusting her with the risk-free practices and welfare of their toddler. ask your self how they might fell in the event that they knew the main useful element of their lives substitute into left unsupervised in a motor vehicle whilst the babysitter is interior her living house. It in basic terms takes a 2nd for something to pass incorrect.
2016-10-16 09:10:16 · answer #6 · answered by hudrick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it wouldnt take more than a minute for a pedo to bust the glass and snatch the 6 yr old...especially if the 6 yr old is a girl. there's too many wacko's out there to let them out of ur sight for even 30 seconds. u WILL go down for child endangerment. i've seen it more than a few times already this month in the paper in my area.
2007-01-31 09:49:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not to be mean, but you should log off YA and read the news for awhile. You would never again leave your children unattended. Years ago it seems we were able to do so without worrying, but in this day and age, DON'T EVER LEAVE YOUR SMALL CHILDREN ALONE - ANYWHERE!
2007-01-31 07:24:19 · answer #8 · answered by Pretending To Work 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should call your local sheriff's office (use NON EMERGENCY NUBMER) and ask the officer for the policy in your particular area.
While anything can happen at any time, you'll have to make a reasonable judgement at a given circumstance. How that will work with the local law is a big question.
2007-01-31 07:27:11 · answer #9 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you should not leave your kids in your car with out you at all. if all the kids are seat bealted in and they dont get out of there seats that is one thing, at the gas station you should pay at the pump that way you dont have to leave them but as long as you have them in eye sight then it is ok i guess, when picking up the othere kids from school you should stay in the car and have your children come to you that way you dont have to leave them allown in the car
2007-01-31 13:17:02 · answer #10 · answered by Coconuts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋