What can happen if you leave your young children alone for 15-20 minutes to go have a beer?

Question

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/21/national/main2960634.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_2960634

This story did not make the headlines. It should have because then maybe more kids would be protected from neglect if more parents out there would see what can happen when you leave your young children alone especially for selfish reasons. Please your honest answers..should these moms serve time in jail or are they suffering enough. If your answer is they are suffering enough what kind of example does this leave for others that may decide to do the same?

yahooyahoo because they broke a law. There are laws in the US regarding children being left alone. Plus..firefighters could have been hurt or killed trying to save these kids also. Lives were taken and lives were put at risk for 1 beer. People here in the US know that leaving your kids alone is child neglect. They know better and should follow the laws. They are put in place for a reason.

Caesers unfortunatly it was made newsworthy for 1 or 2 days for very little time and well paris was in the news at that time and she got far more attention then this horrible and tragic event. I guess I feel compelled to ask this...if your child was at daycare and the daycare provider did this would you want the daycare provider to be prosecuted? I know when I did daycare I loved my kiddos I took care of and were with some of them more then their parents were and would have felt just as horrible if something happened to them as much so if it were my own children.

Ceasers...it is to bad they could not have been jailed before the children died. It is unfortunate that in so many cases something horrific has to happen in order for anyone to find out neglect was involved. The sad reality is alot of people know neglect is happening or children are being left alone and they just don't want to get involved. They have the attitude that it is not their business. I bet this is not the first time those kiddos were left alone. The worst thing for me to think about is what the 2 who got out alive must be going through. I do hope they are in good care and getting good counseling for this.

Thanks everyone that answered openly and honestly. Please don't think I am so cruel to think these moms are not suffering the worst punishment ever but..there are 2 8 year olds that survived this who will suffer also due to laws of child neglect broken. These laws are put in place to protect our children and I urge anyone that reads this to get involved if you know that young children are being left alone to care for themselves. So tragic events such as this can hopefully be avoided.

Answer 1

Thank you Ladybugs - I find the whole story tragic but the final line about it being a freak accident chilling.

These children were left alone with matches. That is not a freak accident, it's an accident waiting to happen. Of course the mother is suffering, but not quite as much as these small children who burnt to death due to the absolutely irresponsible nature of their mother.

She is not the victim, the children were the victims, this is no different to dropping the kids off in the middle of the motorway and wishing them luck.

When will people stop seeing parents as the victims in this and stand up and realise that we all have a duty to protect the children of the world from danger and neglect.

Answer 2

My ex and his girlfriend left five children ages 9 down to 2 home alone every morning for hours while doing a paper route for extra cash. I was appalled for this exact reason. I pictured our 2yr old waking before the other kids and finding something to light on fire, walking out the door, or every more horrifying to think about, letting a stranger in. I didnt trust that the 9yr old would be able to handle four younger kids in a crisis.

Children mature at different rates and some may be mature enough to stay home for short periods of time at relatively early age (perhaps 10 and older.. for example latch-key kids), but I was told that under no circumstances should that many children that young ever be left home without any supervision and that came from a state investigator for child protective services. On that happy note, DUHHHH.

I know that I cant turn my back for 2 minutes without my 4yr old getting into *something* she has no business being in. I have a hard time keeping up with her and I'm fully grown and responsible, unlike children watching children. What I dont understand is why these mothers couldnt have gone to the quick mart before bedtime for these kids (if there was such a thing for them) and drank their "one" at home. Maybe if their children would have been in bed sleeping, they woudlnt have required the uhhh relief of a drink.

Answer 3

This story did make headlines. Certainly I knew about it. It is a tragic case.
I don't know if they should go to jail. I am a bit surprised at the time of the fire - 1.20 in the morning. Who goes out for a beer at 1.20 in the morning, leaving a houseful of wide-awake children? And certainly at that age, when they are up to all sorts of mischief, I wouldn't.
Should they be jailed - I don't know. I really don't. I don't think it serves any purpose at all - you say what message does it send? What message doesn't it send? Children play with matches and kill themselves? Therefore don't leave young children alone. It's pretty obvious.
However, there is the law to be upheld and punishments for crime to be meted out. So if the social services believe that there is neglect, then they should be jailed.
Personally I don't think it serves any purpose - what lesson could be greater than that of losing your children? But fortunately it isn't my decision to make. I think the thought of your children burning to death is far more horrifying than a prison sentence.



As I said, I don't know. The point I am trying to make is that if they break the law, then they must pay the penalty.
But could there be any more punishment more horrific than knowing you are responsible for the burning to death of your children? The purpose of sending them to jail is to uphold the law. That is such a tiny punishment compared to the enormity of the crime. But if it makes people feel better to do it, then they must jail them. Personally, I don't see the point.
It would be far more effective to jail someone before a child dies.

Edit: Well Jack - if it makes you feel better, then jail them. If they have broken the law, fine, send them to prison. Nothing courld be worse than what has happened.

No, I'm not a human rights lawyer, and yes, I have four children, who luckily have made it this far. And I can think of nothing worse than having my children die in a fire. In fact, I don't think I could live with myself and would join them.

Answer 4

I entirely agree with Snaffle. There is far too much of this 'they have suffered enough already' excuse given out for neglectful parents, who through their neglect, cause death of suffering to their children This prevailing attitude only gives carte blanche to other irresponsible parents to do what they like when they like. There is only one way to possibly deter others and that is by a custodial sentence.

Answer 5

Not only do I believe that she should go to jail but she should have to stay there!! I can't believe that someone could be so selfish. I mean really. Why? It really makes me mad when people who have been blessed with such a gift as children treat them so horrible. I myself do not have kids but I raised my younger sister and have my nephew a lot and i couldn't ever imagine doing that to them. It's just pitiful. I mean you have to be screened to adopt a puppy but anyone can have a baby!!!! Just because you can reproduce doesn't mean you should!

Answer 6

Jail, there is no reason to leave them alone it's not their fault we want something different, they didn't ask to come to the world we are responsible of them they shouldn't be punished like that people who neglect yes they should be punished.
Most of the times because of CHILD NEGLECTING children loose their lives!

Answer 7

They should go to jail...countless things could happen in 15-20 with children....lots of ugly things happening don't make the headlines but it's still wrong....not sure how long they should serve....they should get something....

Answer 8

Well the mother cannot be punished any more than she has already so what would be the point? Its good to have it on the news and in the papers just to show others what can happen and hopefully stop people doing the same thing.
That is just my opinion,why ask the question if you dont want to know what we think?

Answer 9

yahooyahooyahoo and caesars wife what are you on get out of cloud cuckoo land of course that mother deserves to go to jail she left 5 kiddies alone to be burnt to death in a house whilst they were out drinking she is an unfit mother and deserves everything she gets, i have never let my son out of my sight i think clearly you are either childless yourselves or are so liberal it blinds you!!!!!
your not human rights lawyers by any chance are you????

Answer 10

They are suffering enough, and it's a bad example. Young children should never be left alone.