Would you leave your child alone in your car?

Question

Today, I sat and watched a car from my office window for roughly 15 - 20 minutes where the driver (I assume the father) had left a little girl who looked about 2 on her own.

I watched him walk to the bank, then he went further up the road into the supermarket.

My colleagues and I watched the car like a hawk. Infact, we were just about to call the Police when he came back.

I assume the car was locked, but even so I was totally gobsmacked.

Would loved to have gone out there and given him a piece of my mind, but between us we agreed that nowadays its just not worth it. People get beaten up for far less. Just wish we'd phoned the Police straight away.

Bet he didn't leave his wallet in the car. No, just the most valuable thing in his life.

Would anyone on here, honestly leave their children like that?

Answer 1

No way would I do that. All it takes is a split second for someone to break in and snatch the child or for some other maniac driver to run into the car with the child in it.

Answer 2

One time I came out from Ikea and was waiting for the other half to come over with the car to load up, as you do, and in a 4x4 there was a little child in a car seat just dressed in a nappy. All of the windows were shut and it was a July day. Another woman went back into the shop to get them to call the owner of the car on the tannoy but it was a full 45 minutes before she came casually wandering back with her shopping.

Another occasion, round the corner from where I lived, a man left his son aged four in a locked car on a garage forecourt whilst he spoke to a mechanic inside. The boy found his dad's cig lighter and dropped it onto the seat, setting fire to the car. As the doors were locked, he couldn't get out and the boy died.

So no, I would never, ever leave my kids in any car unattended and those that do are playing a dangerous game.

Answer 3

the mothers and dads of the only being hit did no longer say it became okay to circulate away the youngsters interior the vehicle inspite of the incontrovertible fact that, it became purely the only that popped lower back to get her coat. If she truly did purely pop lower back to get her coat which would be ok i think of (unstrapping 2 youngsters and getting them interior for ten seconds it no longer likely smart) however the youngster had sufficient time to get right into a controversy, stumble on a heavy jack, and hit a new child 11 circumstances on the pinnacle... now that would take, what, a million/2 an hour? So the discern of the attacker became surely as much as some thing. How can a three year previous, strapped right into a automobile seat, stumble on a jack, bring up it up, and hit yet another new child? there is a few thing very unusual approximately this tale.

Answer 4

There's no way I'd leave a child alone in a car, especially at such a young age. I don't know how anyone could still think of it, what with poor Maddie going missing in Portugal, and there's always abduction stories in the news. The incident in Portugal should have been a wake up call for all parents to be more vigilant where their young children are concerned, and I'm shocked that there's still people who would risk it.

Answer 5

Funny you should as this question, its a hot topic in our household at the moment. Yesterday my partner and i was at the petrol station "filling up" my partner went inside to pay while i stayed in the car. Anyways i'm sitting there dreaming of winning the lotto, going on holiday etc then i see this small child less than 2 climb out of a car and begin to "toddle" across the foyer. At this point i'm trying to scramble out of the car while waving my arms to other people (who didn't take any notice) anyways i reached the child and walked them inside the garage (the mother still hadn't noticed ) the child ran upto a lady in the que who was busy talking on her phone, anyways i goes upto the lady to explain what had just happened, and you know what her respone was! ... "havent i told you before, not to leave the car!" i couldnt believe it not only had she left the child she hadnt even locked the door!
My partner and i are still gobsmacked!

Answer 6

I think it is absolutely disgusting to leave a child in the car alone! I am appalled at how many do this and think it's okay. A few months back I was shopping at my local large supermarket (Tesco) and saw a car with two kids in it unattended. One a baby in a car seat crying and a toddler of about 3 years of age climbing all over the seats and fiddling with the windows. I went straight to customer services and gave the assistant the car reg number and she made a customer announcement for the parent to come to the desk. The woman did not hurry herself either. She was at the checkout and just sighed when the assistant told her , her children were in distress in the car. I wanted to smack her one!

Answer 7

Two children were left in a supermarket car park here and managed to set fire to the car. They were both badly burnt.

No, don't risk leaving children unattended even for a minute.... better safe than sorry. I am so glad you were there to make sure all was well.

Answer 8

I have a few times for a few minutes at the most. But only when I have been able to see out a window and NEVER whilst she was awake. eg going in to pay for petrol. I would never do something that you just described. like going up the street. I would rather carry a sleeping child than leave her alone for more than 2 minutes.

Answer 9

I wouldn't. That is sick, especially during the summer. In a matter of minutes, that car can be well over 100 degrees fahrenheit. Children die from this just about every week, often with someone "just running in for a few minutes." It is illegal in most places, too. You were about to do the right thing by calling the cops. Hopefully no one will have to do it for that child in the future.

Answer 10

I agree with you it is mental that people will do that. Im the past I have popped to the cashpoint and left my 7 year old in the car. However, I have never been more than 15 yds from the car, and have taught him how to use the central locking. When he was younger though I took him with me. I'ts just not worth it in this day and age.





To the "Thumbs down" bridage, who obviously don't have kids. What would you do if it was pouring down and the cashpoint was 15 yds away. I'm not talking about leaving him there for hours and then going to the pub. I thought we were after honesty!