Comments for Child Neglect During a Heatwave

Click here to add your own comments

Jul 12, 2012
 BMW Princess:
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

There is never a reason to leave a child in the car unattended, whether it's in the middle of a heatwave or not. Either way, it is neglect. That toddler had an angel in Josh Steep. He did the right thing; and as a result of his courage, we still have a toddler with us today. The fact that the story in the news (this happened in Edmonton, Alberta) focused almost exclusively on the heat inside the car and how it can reach 40 degrees Celsius in no time does not take away from the fact that these parents left a 3-year-old in the car alone. Who knows what they were thinking. This little one's parents need some basic parenting training, and they need to be held accountable for their neglect. Thank you for sharing this story and your thoughts with my visitors and me. As always, sending you love and light, BMW Princess.

From Victim to Victory, a memoir
Darlene Barriere
Webmaster: www.child-abuse-effects.com
author. speaker. survivor. coach
From Victim to Victory, a memoir
Jul 13, 2012
 why........
by: My Two Cents

BMW Princess, you asked if anyone could shed light on why people would do this.

Stupidity.

Leaving a child unattended in a car, no matter the weather conditions is asking for trouble. I've seen mothers and fathers (I assume) both leave kids in child seats while they ran into use an ATM, or grab a latte. I hate to say it, but I sometimes wish there would be an immediate (snaps fingers) consequence for this behaviour.
Leaving a toddler in an unattended car during a heat wave just compounds the error.

As for criminal charges, bullsh*t. There was a situation in Toronto in June....about 4 weeks ago? Some family left a dog unattended in a car during a heat wave. The police and animal control were called, they rescued the dog but he slipped off his leash and went running off down the Gainder expressway. My understanding is that charges were laid in that case. So.....I fully expect the toddler's parents will face charges.

Maybe this was a stupid mistake. It's still a crime and it could easily have resulted in the death of the toddler. I think we need a harsh sentence so that no other people make the same error. Deterrence has a place here.

Be well.

My Two Cents.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Child Abuse Commentary.

Return to Child Neglect During a Heatwave

Disclaimer: To the best of my knowledge the child abuse
stories on this site are true. While I cannot guarantee
this, I do try to balance the need for the submitter to be
heard and validated with the needs of my visitors.



E-book: Victim To Victory

From Victim to Victory
a memoir

How I got over the devastating effects of child abuse and moved on with my life

Read more...

Most Recent

RSS

  1. Converging Stolen Lives

    Jan 30, 18 01:13 PM

    There was a time and space I didn’t think about you, or your abuse. Where when I looked back at my life, I only saw normal things, a normal childhood.

    Read More

  2. A letter to one of the 13 Turpin children

    Jan 29, 18 11:33 AM

    A heartfelt letter by a former classmate that speaks to bullying and regrets. You'll find it on my Facebook group. I hope you'll join and get in on the discussion.

    Read More

  3. Dissociated From Abuse

    Jan 29, 18 11:00 AM

    I was sexually abused by my father from age 6 to 13, which stopped when I started talking about it during the day. The teenage brother of my best friend

    Read More

E-book: Victim To Victory

From Victim to Victory
a memoir

How I got over the devastating effects of child abuse and moved on with my life

Read more...