Forgetful dad gets lucky

or A story where CPS does the right thing

Published on March 24, 2006 By Chaos Manager In Current Events

You ever have that feeling, particularly when you're rushed, that you've forgotten something? Well, it seems that the father in the story below had that feeling yesterday.

Seems the dad in question was in a bit of a rush and got on the DC Metro, and was well into the city, before he remembered something that he'd left in the car
- his 7 1/2 month old daughter! Talk about a bad day.

Once he remembered he quickly turned around to go get her.

Meanwhile, fellow commuters noticed and the fire department got her out and took her to the hospital as a precaution. Mom met her there.

The good thing in this scenario? CPS decided that they didn't need to become involved in the case. "We all believe that the child was not intentionally left in the car." - according to
the Montgomery County PD spokesperson.

Dad, on the other hand, is being charged by the police with leaving a child < 8 years old in car unattended, a misdemeanor with cash fine and possible 30 days in jail.

Now, what do you think? IMO, Dad's reaction (and having to deal with the mental anquish of doing that to his daughter) is enough to warrant being lenient. I know that I
did that, I'd do more to myself out of guilt and remorse than the judge is likely to do. I take the responsibility of my children very seriously. Even to the point of making sure that one of us is
holding the younger kids hands when walking in crowded (and even not so crowded) areas. That one split second where you're not paying attention can make the difference between
them being safe or them being snatched or worse.

Comments

Locamama

on Mar 24, 2006

Poor guy. Poor baby. I'm just thankful that this wasn't in the 90 degree days of summer. Then this story could have had a much more tragic ending.

I don't know what the law is but I would think that the fact that there was no intent to harm the child. This was not a choice he made, it was a mistake. He didn't decide it was okay to leave the baby in the car while he went to work that day.

Gideon MacLeish

on Mar 24, 2006

I agree with CPS' decision in this case. The father's anguish was certainly more than ample punishment. The cash fine would certainly be appropriate, as emergency crews had to come out to handle the situation, and that costs money, but jail time would not. I just wish more innocent parents charged with less would receive the same benefit of the doubt.

Thanks for the lead. I'm going to use it elsewhere.

Dr Guy

on Mar 24, 2006

You actually did not have to go to DC for a story. Last summer, a Father forgot to take his children (5 and 2) to day care. He thought his wife was still at home. They were found wandering in a median not far from home and the CPS took them into custody. Once the story came out, and the parents were charged, and fined, the CPS gave the children back to the parents. It took a couple of weeks, but it was apparent they were not being abused or starved, so ws the right thing to do.

Gideon MacLeish

on Mar 24, 2006

We had a related incident I didn't discuss here because it was during one of JU's more tumultuous times.

Last December, while waiting for our anonymous and spurious case to be resolved with CPS, we went to a nearby city to watch the Christmas parade at night. Afterwards, we went to a fast food restaurant and ate supper with some friends.

When we were leaving, our oldest three decided to travel home with our neighbors. Our youngest two went with us. On the way out the door, my second daughter noticed our five year old was holding a soda, and, wanting to be conscientious, told her to take the soda back to us.The five year old turned around and went back into the restaurant, but we were already loading up in our car.

The restaurant was packed to the gills, and our cars were on opposite sides of the restaurant. The five year old couldn't find us, and we drove off, thinking she was with the neighbors. They thought she was with us.

About halfway home, they flashed their headlights. Their son, a police officer in that community, had gotten a call from the department telling him they had our daughter, that she had been left behind. I loaded my wife and two youngest into the neighbor's car, and bolted back to town.

Fortunately, CPS allowed her to return home with us right away. But they visited the following morning (although there was an incident regarding one of the city marshalls that flared up with the neighbor when he arrived, but that's another blog). We explained our story once we had gotten the full story from the oldest two (we didn't understand how THEY had missed their sister going out with them until we heard the whole story). CPS did agree it was an understandable situation, and nothing resulted out of it. The fact is, while I am probably CPS' harshest critic, even I will readily concede sometimes their agents do their jobs right.

Chaos Manager

on Mar 24, 2006

Thanks for the lead. I'm going to use it elsewhere.

Your welcome.

The fact is, while I am probably CPS' harshest critic, even I will readily concede sometimes their agents do their jobs right.

That was the subpoint that I was trying to get out (and may not have been totally successful). With all of the crap that gets piled on their plate (alot of which is richly deserved), they do get it right every now and then. And that SHOULD be pointed out.

Chaos Manager

on Mar 24, 2006

Thanks for the lead. I'm going to use it elsewhere.

Your welcome.

The fact is, while I am probably CPS' harshest critic, even I will readily concede sometimes their agents do their jobs right.

foreverserenity

on Mar 24, 2006

And when they do their jobs right, that makes for better world for all of us!

I can't imagine that poor dad how he will feel for a very long time. I'm glad he didn't lose his child, that would have been so bad for him and his wife.

bakerstreet

on Mar 24, 2006

I have zero sympathy. I know this will be an unpopular opinion, but I think he deserves all he gets and more. Had it been summer the child could have died. Had the people who found the child been cruising for one to snatch, it would be gone now. No excuse should be accepted for walking off and forgetting your child, no matter how many are offered. You should walk off without your head first.

As far as CPS I'm surprised. A friend of my neighbor was investigated for staying too long in his backyard when his toddler was alone in the house. If I could believe that particular CPS office was consistant at being reasonable, I'd be impressed, but I don't. Their existence violates our rights.

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