I just called the police on a mom.

[ChristyMarie]

So I come out of the grocery store and the car parked next to me is running. um..ok Kind of weird. Then I notice there is a TODDLER IN THE BACKSEAT.

UGH.

So I decide to stick around to make sure the parent comes back and all is ok. 10 minutes later I call DH to get his opinion. He's like dude, hang up and call the police or I will.

So I do. They were there in about a minute. I love our town.

Then it gets worse - the officer goes to see if the kid is ok and the car is UNLOCKED.

Oh my gosh.

What I couldn't see (tinted windows) was there was a 12 yr old in the very back of the SUV asleep. Still doesn't make it right.

By the time the mom came out it had been 22 min - state law is 20. I think the look on her face when she saw the police car should suffice as a pretty darn good lesson.

I'm guessing the officer gaver her a warning. My little guy was getting tired of hanging out in a parking lot so we left once the mom arrived.

I just cannot imagine leaving my toddler in a running car for 20+ minutes.:

ETA: I've been thinking of all the things my toddler could have accomplished in 20 minutes in a running, unlocked car and it terrifies me!

[chinaKat]

I don't think you're off base, since you didn't know there was a twelve year old in the car, too.

However, I also don't think there's anything wrong with letting a 12 year old supervise a toddler for 20 minutes. It's not optimal that the 12 year old fell asleep, obviously... but I don't think the mom should get Bad Parent of the Year or anything.

[lolalola]

I probably would have called, too.

[Baby Makes 4]

I occasionally leave my 12 year old in the car with my 2 year old if I need to run into the bank or bakery quickly. BUT... the car is never running, always locked and I get my 12 year old to sit in the front seat so people can see that the little one is not alone.

I should also add that I only do this in places where I can see the car from the store and my 12 year old has a cell phone and his babysitter training.

I think you did the right thing as well. If it were my kids I would want people too err on the side of caution rather than ignore a potentially dangerous situation.

[chaoticzenmom]

Since you didn't see him, I think you did the right thing. He wasn't aware enough to see you lurking around the car?

I don't see anything wrong with leaving a baby in the car with a 12yo.

[ChristyMarie]

If I had seen the older kid I wouldn't have called. But the toddler was unstrapped and pretty much roaming around the vehicle - so the 12yr old was definitely not watching him at all. I also walked entirely around the vehicle twice to check if there was maybe an adult in the back seat - never did the older kid sit up or anything.

Just to clarify.

[paquerette]

Understandable. I bet that 12 yo is getting into a lot of trouble, though. I hope they're gentle parents.

[Dabble]

Yikes. I definitely think you did the right thing.

The very thought of that toddler crawling up to the front seat and setting the vehicle in motion, or getting the cigarette lighter, or just opening the door and running through the parking lot.... you very well could have saved his life by getting involved like you did.

Good job mama! I'm glad there are people out there who are still willing to put themselves out to protect a child!

[ThreeBeans]

Originally Posted by lisa49

Since you didn't see him, I think you did the right thing. He wasn't aware enough to see you lurking around the car?

I don't see anything wrong with leaving a baby in the car with a 12yo.

:

Although I would have woken my 12 yo before going in.

[phathui5]

I'd leave a 12 year old in charge too. But I wouldn't leave my keys in the car.

[kblackstone444]

Lets play Devil's Advocate. Let's say you were a carjacker. Do you think that sleeping 12 year old would have been able to stop you if you'd jumped into that running car and drove away with them? I'd say, yes, you sure did the right thing.

[jeliphish]

Definitly would have called...with the several children that have died in hot cars this summer- I wouldn't have hesitated at all. Good Job MaMa!!!

[pigpokey]

Originally Posted by harleyhalfmoon

Lets play Devil's Advocate. Let's say you were a carjacker. Do you think that sleeping 12 year old would have been able to stop you if you'd jumped into that running car and drove away with them? I'd say, yes, you sure did the right thing.

Carjackers are not seeking that kind of jail time.

[wannabe]

Originally Posted by pigpokey

Carjackers are not seeking that kind of jail time.

Kidnappers are. What a perfect opportunity - kid alone, grab and wander off.

[<~*MamaRose*~>]

I too would have called if I thought there was a young child left alone in a car.

Just wondering if you would have called if you HAD seen the other child?

I have no problem leaving a 12yo and a toddler alone in a car, but yes I would have made sure the older child was awake and the doors locked.

[mclisa]

I think you did the right thing. I think the mom only needed a warning and I hope that's what she received.

[Shelsi]

Originally Posted by harleyhalfmoon

Lets play Devil's Advocate. Let's say you were a carjacker. Do you think that sleeping 12 year old would have been able to stop you if you'd jumped into that running car and drove away with them? I'd say, yes, you sure did the right thing.

My dh gets out to drop stuff off or whatever and leaves me in the car with it running and the kids in the back all the time...I wouldn't be able to stop a carjacker either. What am I going to do as a passenger? Wrestle someone to the ground? I'd try to grab my kids out of the car, but my kids would be strapped in so I probably wouldn't be able to get them out...obviously I'd stay with them if I could but if someone has a gun to your head or is pushing you out you can only do so much.

[<~*MamaRose*~>]

:

[merry-mary]

Hugs mama. What a tough thing you did. You absolutely did the right thing.

[GranoLLLy-girl]

Originally Posted by pigpokey

Carjackers are not seeking that kind of jail time.

Well, I'm not so sure...what about the guy that carjacked a running vehicle while mom was inside the conveniences store paying for whatever. Small child was strapped in in the back seat--mom ran outside and opened the door and she hung onto her child while the car was in motion. The child was halfway in and halfway out of the car and he was dragged to death. I think he was about 7 years old--maybe a little younger. Of course the mom is devastated. I can't recall what happened to the criminal. You could probably google the number of such cases. Criminals are not always the smartest people and I really doubt that many of them even consider how much jail time they will get for ANY crime they commit or consider committing.