Baby found dead in vehicle. Mother apparently forgot to drop off baby at day care.

grandfolksherald.com ^ | Thu, Jun. 29, 2006 | Lisa Gibson

[rawhide]

A 5-month-old baby died in a minivan Wednesday after the mother apparently forgot to drop the child off at day care.

The tragedy was discovered about 5:30 p.m. outside the Wonder Years 2 day care. The baby's mother stopped at the day care after work to pick up the child and was told by staff that the baby had not been dropped off. She realized then that the baby had been in her minivan all day.

"The mother had forgotten to drop off the child at day care in the morning," said Curt Kreun, owner of Wonder Years 2. "She actually came in the building to pick up the child and then realized what had happened."

The child was in a car seat in the back of the vehicle, according to Sgt. Jeff Burgess of the Grand Forks Police Department. A Wonder Years 2 staff member made the 911 call, according to Kreun.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

This happens in Phoenix every year, where the temp inside a parked car reaches over 150 degrees. Sad, scary stuff.

[Fester Chugabrew]

. . . how many people here could have ever forgotten you had a child in the car with you?

Mine were with me in the car once, very quiet. I forgot all about them until I cussed out another driver and then one of them piped up.

[beeler]

Nirvana? My wife and I simply chose not to have children until we could afford to give them the proper care that is required. Why is that so difficult? Of course, we are happy to be middle-class and do not require all the status symbols common to so many others who would rather drive a BMW even if it means that complete strangers are raising their children.

[elfman2]

My sister directs a dozen daycares and thinks that young toddlers who need to go do better for half a day 5 days a week than for all day half the week. I guess the consistent routine is helpful

[pax_et_bonum]

Absolute bullshit. It's about a bunch of voyeuristic twits taking great glee in convincing themselves they're perfect when they condemn the mistakes of others. Save your sanctimony.

I agree.

[atomicpossum]

Yes. You know what you can kiss with yours?

[GLDNGUN]

Mrs. Chandler posits the question: would she have forgotten a briefcase full of cash in the back seat?

Is she driving with a briefcase full of cash in the back seat every day?

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Bottom line, IMO, people who 'forget' babies in cars, causing the babies death, should be sterilized at the least, charged with negligent homicide at the most.

What should be done to over-the-top, raving posters to this thread? Lobotomy?

[yellowdoghunter]

Well, I would have to say that at that moment, something else was more important. Whatever that may be.

[Shimmer128]

How about setting your purse or briefcase by the carseat, or putting the diaper bag in the front seat, by the purse or briefcase?? Too easy??

[soccermom]

"I FORGOT"don't cut it!This sounds intentional to me and the mother is playing out a plan to try and get away with something.

Well, at least you picked the right handle for yourself!

[MPJackal]

"Funny how this always happens in the summer."

It happens all the time. The babies die in the summer, so that story makes it news worthy. Not news if it is cool and the baby lives.

[maine-iac7]

If the authorities would actually do their job and stop buying these lame excuses for child murder, we'd see an astonishing number of parents suddenly find their memories and tend to their children. Instead, the wonderful authorities are aiding and abetting these sad excuses for people to get away with murder...

Hello. Is that you, Mrs. God? (Must be. Who else would be so obviously infallible themselves and, at the same time, above the commandment "Thou shalt not judge...."?

[rawhide]

Mothers should buckle their purse to the child's safety seat. No woman gets out the car without their purse.

Very, very good idea!

[yellowdoghunter]

How dare you make plans, live accordingly, and do what is right by your children. You are making other parents look bad, so stop it!!!! sarcasm off////

Amazing how far people will go to justify their actions.

[soccermom]

"....nor would I ever forget that my dog was in the car." I'm betting your dog doesn't fall asleep in a rear-facing car seat, either.

[GLDNGUN]

A handful of people forget their kids because they're out of sight.

That's not an excuse and you know it.

[yellowdoghunter]

Keep it to your self, or better yet, go tell your children.

[justche]

I think the key is to try to think of the unthinkable.
Just like being overly cautious the first time you have a teenager watch your kid and you make sure she has 10 people to call in case she can't get you the two seconds your out of cell range. :)
Just like even though your mom raised three of you and you all turned out more or less, you still tell her what *your* child is finicky about....
if we think of the what if's - we're less likely to have them sneak up on us.

(Now, if only I could figure out how to stop locking my keys in the car - the tow truck guy and I are on a first name basis now - things happen we get distracted, but little lives are far more important than any other thing we've got going....)

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Yes. You know what you can kiss with yours?

BOO-Yah! Nice shot.