I can not believe what happened today

[Laurajean]

I must have missed something, even though I'm pretty sure I read the whole story. Call 911? Call DHS? Based on what exactly? You can't call either and say "I saw a kid *almost* fall." Almost doesn't matter. They aren't going to send an ambulance out for a kid who didn't fall, but could have. And I doubt the family would be investigated by DHS because they looked away and left the baby in the cart nearby. If that's neglect than every mother in the grocery store would have their kids taken away. And you can't call DHS to say "I have a hunch, that based on Dad's red face and the way the 12 year old was acting, that the baby may have anger issues when he's older". And you can't call anyone to say you overheard the mother say that one time the baby fell in the store on an occasion for which you weren't there to witness what actually happened.

I DO agree that it sounds like the parents weren't paying attention, and yes, he could very likely be passing his anger on down to his kids, but there was no crime here. No reason to call 911 or DHS. The kid could have fallen out of the cart yes, and thank God Kristy saw it and caught him, but he didn't fall. He almost did, but he didn't. You can't call 911 or DHS for an "almost" incident or because the parents seem inattentive or red-faced. I mean, I'm not a cop or a lawyer or a DHS expert, but that just sounds like an incredible waste of their time.

To be clear, I'm not saying that what happened wasn't disturbing, or that people shouldn't be concerned or bothered when they see something like that. But nothing actually happened. Dad got mad at the kid, a kid almost fell but didn't, and the parents were complainers who weren't really paying attention. All very maddening and disturbing, but I see no reason to call any authorities because you didn't like the vibe of it all. Sorry, that's just my opinion.

 

[itsy]

I agree with ya' LauraJean. Well put.

 

[chickened]

I have seen worse at Walmart

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Quote:
Like people might really forget that they had their kids in the car? That is frightening. "where's my purse? Oh, Junior, how did you get there?" Yikes.

Actually it happens more than you would think, especially with the parent that doesn't usually cart the baby around. Think about it. You have a new baby and are already sleep deprived. You are late for work and for some reason are taking the baby to day care (which your spouse normally does). Or you have a number of children and are harried and rushed trying to get errands done in time to make it to appointment X. The baby falls asleep in the car seat and is quiet. You are thinking about what the day will hold and are focused on other things (perhaps talking on your cell phone). You just drive the path you normally drive to work, grab your briefcase off the front seat and go in to work. You never think about the fact that your spouse doesn't have the baby. You have a forgetful moment with horrifying consequences.

Lots of people get angry with parents who accidentally leave their kids in the car. It usually breaks my heart. The system cannot punish them any more than they are punishing themselves.

Of course, this theory does not include the (*&*^))!!! people who do it on purpose. They should be locked in a hot car themselves and left to suffer.

 

[GaNewChick]

Quote:
Ditto.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
My opinion also...

 

[orientphoenix]

darn yall have not seen worse, at walmart this very under dressed young mother beat her child because he was crying, she was swearin like there was no tomorrow, crazy people these days

 

[Thegrayeyedgirl]

Quote:
I wanted to just shout at the parents and I really wanted to just hug the 12 year old, he seemed so desperate for any sort of attention.

it reminds me of what I saw on the tv the other day. The weather lady was saying that many children this year have died already from being left in a hot car. Then she went on to suggest that you should put you briefcase, purse, or hat in the back seat , so you will be forced to go back there to get the items and won't forget your kids!

My mother and I were watching it together and were sup surprised we backed the dvr up just to watch her say it again... and she really did suggest that you would be more likely to remember a hat over your child.

Yeah...and the sad thing is it's probably true. There are people like that out there for whom this suggestion will probably save a child's life.

 

[ams4776]

What do y'all think abouy spanking. (Not a beat down just a swat or two when child is being really bad? ) ivr also started to walk away from a tantrum in a store (watching them closely ) soon as u say bye and take a few steps they almosy always jump up and run to me. I know i can get exhasted and snappy at times mostly from the fighting or tantrums. I would hate if an unknown person called me in because i swatted their behinds or whatever. Some things are bad and wrong but some parents just do things their way. ( oh last night my 3 yr old had some boy in a choke hold. She hated the long time out for it)

 

[cuntryuppiechick]

One of the reasons I consolidate all of my shopping and suffer it out in a long day rather than several trips. Or I try to go when it's only me and the senior citizens. They are much more pleasant to be around and you can have some nice conversations waiting in line. Child services wouldn't do anything for that one I'm afraid. I called on a parent who lets a child outside in glass without shoes and of course he had shards in his foot. She finally got tired of hearing him scream bloody murder, oh, 6 hours later. The house is nothing but filth, no flooring, trained fighting pit bulls, and nothing was done.