Leaving your kids in the car Law

[Gothic Girl]

I called the police dept today to ask about the law for leaving my kids in the car. You know, if I were to run into say 7-11 real quick, what was the law regarding leaving my kids in my car. I told them I had a 1 year old and a 9 year old (she will be 1 in 3 weeks and he'll be 10 in 4 weeks). The dispatcher said she didn't think a 9 year old could take care of a 1 year old and so she would think it was illegal.

What do you guys think? It sounds to me like she's basing the law on her opinion. Not whether it's actually illegal or not. I called them a few months ago to ask about my son babysitting while I ran next door and they said that if I felf my son was responsible enough to watch her, there should be no reason I'd get in trouble. How is this different? Running next door or leaving the kids in the car while I run into the gas station?

[ShawnLee]

I think the thing is that there's an increased perceived risk due to the fact that a car can overheat a lot and has been known to cause deaths.

My parents did this when I was younger, and I called them bad parents for having done it because I saw the news reports. In retrospect, they left the windows open, we listened to the radio, it was usually in safe neighborhoods, and we had the presence of mind to not do anything stupid, so I don't fault them so much, if at all.

[SecretIkon]

if your child is old enough and responsible enough, i think its fairly legal. but then again the law says/thinks differently at times.

[brainsmile]

ask a cop

[Gothic Girl]

ask a cop
Well see, that's why I called the PD dept. But like SL's parents, I leave the windows down or the air conditioner on, and I'm only in the store for like a minute. Ok, at the most 5, but if I go to the grocery store, or somewhere that I know I'm going to be more than just a couple of minutes, I never leave them in the car.

Recently it just seems like there's been too much going on with kids dying in cars, or like the other day, a mother ran into subway to get a sandwich and left her 2 year old in the car with the keys. Some guy jumped in the car and took off with the kid and the car so an amber alert was issued and I believe they're holding the mother responsible. That's why I was wondering about me leaving my kids in the car. But my son's old enough to do what he needs to do, like lock the doors, scream for help, etc.

[MikeD]

I leave the windows down or the air conditioner on, and I'm only in the store for like a minute. Ok, at the most 5

I think the one year old situation is a bit sketchy...

My concern would be someone taking my kids. So many sick b@stards out there today; I don't know if I could leave my 3 year old alone (out of sight) for 5 minutes in public.

[Merlin]

ask a cop
Better yet ask a lawyer.

[cheapie]

i've left my boys in the LOCKED van when i've ran inside. it's only been at a certain small store that has windows all around it so i can see the vehicle. they are 1 and 3 and strapped in their car seats so i'm not worried about anything happening to them. and they aren't likely to start crying because i always have a dvd playing for them.

[hoey222]

cali law

www.ci.laguna-niguel.ca.us/common/modules/documentcenter2/documentview.asp?DID=527

another site for info

http://www.kidsincars.org

[Mommypooh]

I only leave them in the car with it running when I run into the house to grab one last item I forgot.

[mcs328]

When I see a car running with no driver I always say "Oh look...free car".

[BigJon]

I don't think it would be a prob GG. Only if it would be a minute. Just have the 9 year old lock the doors and unlock when you come back. AC is on...I don't see a prob.


I only leave them in the car with it running when I run into the house to grab one last item I forgot.

Don't forget to mention though that you pull the car up into the front yard and leave the house door open so you can hear and see the car. ;)

[Gothic Girl]

cali law

www.ci.laguna-niguel.ca.us/common/modules/documentcenter2/documentview.asp?DID=527

another site for info

http://www.kidsincars.org
Ohhh, that explains more to me than what the PD dept said. Thanks! And yeah, I usually have my son lock the doors and only open them up for me, and me only. He really is a good and somewhat responsible babysitter. I say somewhat only because he's left the bathroom door open and Allicyn ran in there and messed everything up.

[bbrian]

Once or twice a year here a car is stolen with kids in it. I've seen a car thief pick the lock of a car and hotwire it in less than 60 seconds (demonstration by an ex con). If you leave the car running with the keys in it, they can get in it in a matter of seconds and drive off. Pretty damn scary and not worth it if you ask me.

[Gothic Girl]

Good point. That IS pretty scary.

[DarkFury]

I just wonder what the age limit is here in Indy...

Now I wouldn't leave a sub 3 year old child alone in a car.. however at 5, DFJ is perfectly fine for a few minutes especially if I "remote start" the HEMI with the A/C on and the doors locked.

Sometimes, I just don't wanna go through the hassle of taking him out of the car when I'm just running in and coming right back out. Especially when my vehicle is in full sight of where I am going.

[cheapie]

:stupid:

i would only do it in a safe neighborhood w/the doors locked. in fact, i think i've only done it outside the bike store.

[MrGreg]

Just don't put them in the trunk:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/07/12/kids.trunk.ap/index.html

[Gothic Girl]

Just don't put them in the trunk:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/07/12/kids.trunk.ap/index.html
Geezus. Couldn't the kids've just lapped it?

[LPMiller]

:stupid:

i would only do it in a safe neighborhood w/the doors locked. in fact, i think i've only done it outside the bike store.

There are no safe neighborhoods.

[riskykougra]

I have a 7 yr old and a 10 yr old and the absolute only time I leave them in the car is when they are with an adult. Which means no one younger than my 17 yr old. A desperate person may do anything to get a car that is running no matter if the doors are locked, but they aren't likely to want to mess with adults sitting in it.The car can be replaced...the childrens lives are not worth a couple of extra minutes of inconvenience it takes to get them out or the fighting in the store....which mine seem to enjoy. But that is entirely my opinion and no one needs agree.

[Grimm]

I don't think that the people who leave toddlers in their car when they "run into the store for just a minute" should have been allowed to breed in the first place.

I can see running back into the house for a second to grab something, but once you leave the house, that vehical does not leave your sight while it has kids in it.

[oogeooge]

There are no safe neighborhoods.

u must not live in a safe neighborhood then :P :disa:

[bbrian]

You must THINK you live in a safe neighborhood.

You are sadly mistaken if you think cars are only stolen in dangerous neighborhoods. Call your local PD and ask.

[mcs328]

There seems to be a rash of the drop the kid in the trunk news. I heard on the radio some lady did this because she didn't wany to pay extra for a bigger rental vehicle that would accomodate 5 children.

[Grimm]

u must not live in a safe neighborhood then :P :disa:
No, he's just more aware than most people. The monsters who hurt kids aren't segrigated to certain neighborhoods. They can live in nice, prosperous, suburban environments, or gheto apartments. Normal neighbors keep an eye on neighborhood kids, regardless of the economic status of the area. A neighbor who disliked you and wouldn't do anything if someone spray painted your house kicked your dog and stole your car would still run screaming to protect your kids if someone threatened them. It's just how people are.

[LPMiller]

u must not live in a safe neighborhood then :P :disa:

When it comes to predators of kids, I haven't seen any stats to indicate there is any such thing as a safe neighborhood. If you think nothing can happen, you're blindingly wrong. All you got to do is read a newspaper, kids vanish in every neighborhood, and it takes no time at all. Hell, any review of statistics tells you that at least one person in your neighborhood is into child porn, one is a rapist, one has commited a major felony, and one is a pedophile. Regardless of the area.

I don't leave my kids alone in the car, regardless of where I am.

It's just like terrorism - they only have to get it right once to screw you over. You have to be right 100 percent of the time.