Cranky Jennie was going to write about immigration and all the hullaballo over AZ SB 1070, but recent chaos (tests, finals, birthday party, remodeling, moving, etc) has gotten in the way of writing my blog. Unfortunately (at least for me), this craziness will continue for the next two weeks, so I’m just going to claim May as my vacation month. Talk to you in June.
Yesterday, I made the required trip to Costco. My girls were with me. While getting into my car, I noticed a young girl, probably around 9, sitting in a car ALONE.
I have found that most people, these days, avoid getting involved. I don’t have that option. I feel compelled to act. So, in true form, I acted.
I got out of my car and knocked on the window. I asked her if she was o.k. and she shook her head. She was crying and my heart was breaking. I asked her if she wanted to unlock the door and I would walk her into the store to find her mother. She said the alarm would go off and her mother would be mad.
Let me make this clear: the woman locked her daughter in the car with the windows closed and set the alarm. It was 80 degrees out yesterday.
I tried to persuade her anyway. Here I was with my own kids around her age, so I figured I wasn’t intimidating. Ultimately, I stopped another woman and asked her to tell Costco management. She was equally appalled by the situation. I didn’t want to leave the frightened child.
A few minutes later, the mother came out (around the same time as the Costco manager). She refused to look at anyone. I noticed how roughly she dragged her daughter out of the car. As if the kid did something wrong!
What the hell is wrong with people? Every year, we hear about some poor kid who suffocated in the car because the windows were closed and it was too hot outside. This is a worst-case negligence situation. That mother yesterday was negligent. I am positive it is not the first time she has done something like this.
I did have the option to call the police. However, knowing that Child Protective Services would get involved, I didn’t choose this option. I’m not saying CPS is a bad thing, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the kid would actually be better off in foster care.
Children love their mothers, even the ones who neglect them. It’s a natural thing. Outsiders may not understand this bond, but it does exist. Negligent parents piss me off.
This little girl was lucky I showed up. I’m not patting myself on the back. Rather, I am considering a “what if” scenario. What if a pedophile found her and abducted her? This happens more often than any of us want to admit.
Leaving a child unattended in a car is wrong. Period. Too many things can go wrong. I do understand that shopping with kids can be hassle. I’ve done it too many times to count. However, their safety is paramount. Small mistakes can lead to big consequences.
Honestly, I wish I could have done more for that little girl. She truly broke my heart. Unfortunately, I know that she is one of many in similar, or worse, situations.
My advice: if you see a child in danger step up! They need SOMEONE to be their advocate.