WIBU? Should I have just minded my own business?

[Bogeyface]

Parking outside the supermarket there was a toddler asleep in the car next to us, no windows open (my car was very hot when I got in it earlier) and no one around. I took my time sorting DD out, took a good 5 minutes and no one appeared, so not a panicky rush in and out job.

I waited a bit longer, faffed with the trolley, still no one. So I told the staff at customer services who got the reg number and put a call out. I was concerned that a) the child would be over heating and b) if it awoke alone in the car he could panic and get in a right state.

The customer service woman called me over as I left and said no one answered the call but they checked 2 minutes later and the car was gone, and coincidentally a half full trolley had been abandoned in the shop You could tell she wasnt impressed if someone doing a full weekly shop had left their child in the car alone.

Told my mum and she said that I didnt know why the child had been left, that her and dad used to do it all the time (I know, thats one of the reasons I reported it, I remember the fear!) and I should mind my own business.

So, did I do the right thing or not? I feel that I did but she was adamant I should have "kept your nose out".

Yes, you did the right thing.

You did the right thing.

Fair enough to leave a sleeping child for 5/10 minutes if you're popping in for milk or whatever but to do a trolley type shop - no way!

You did the right thing, of course you did. People used to give their babies brandy in their milk too, can you imagine doing that now?!
I sat in the car for a few minutes earlier with both windows down and was less than comfortable...gently glowing like a good un'.
If they hadn't had disappeared you would have been within rational to report to police. This is what on-line shopping was invented for IMO.

Totally the right thing. People are idiots. I had to do the same a few years ago. Baby a few month old in car park that wasnt attatched to any specific shop (on the high street) I waited about 5 minutes then called the police. SS were informed. Mother sauntered back after me being on the phone for about 15 minutes with police officer (he asked me to wait and see if anyone came back while he was running the car number plate and contacting whoever he needed to) she was confused as to why i called police. Kept saying baby was fine so its ok. Police officer bollocked her on the phone and it didnt take a fizz out of her then she handed phone back and stormed off in car.

Yes, you did the right thing - babies die in hot cars, and today is warm enough that certainly my car is uncomfortably hot with no windows open - I would not have left it and said nothing either. I would have done exactly the same thing. Even on a cool/cold day, still would have done the same.

You did the right thing by hanging around for a bit to see if anyone came. I once left DS2 asleep in the car while I went to get a ticket from the pay and display machine at the other end of the car park. When I got back, someone had left an abusive note stuck to the windscreen .

Whoever wrote it must have seen him as soon as I walked away and instantly written the note.

Credit to the supermarket staff as well.

You was absolutely right to report it to a member of staff and the supermarket handled it brilliantly.

totally the right thing.

a video information has been made on this very issue.
warning - the video imm linking is really detailed and could be traumatic to watch.
www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/19/kids-left-in-cars-psa_n_3623597.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

You did the right thing. Babies die in cars because they get too hot. OK it might not have been sweltering today but cars magnify the heat don't they? I wouldn't leave a dog in the car never mind a child.

Of course you did the right thing, please don't doubt it for a second!

Can't imagine leaving a toddler alone in a car for long enough to do [what appeared to be] a full shop

Definitely right to inform the supermarket, I would have called the police too.

Of course you did the right thing. Your mother is mad if she think you didn't. After what you've described her opinion isn't worth paying attention to and never was

The only time my parents left us in the car is when we were older and the car was running so we had AC (and obviously the trip was quick so they didn't waste gas). But we could also get out and open the doors if we felt uncomfortable.

Babies die in hot cars all the time. There's never an excuse for leaving them in there. Even on cool days, what if they start crying?

I would have just called the police outright and let them sort it.

Definitely did the right thing.

I saw a dog in a parked car today. The windows were open at the top and I put my hand in (luckily the dog was friendly) and it was warm but not too hot. After I finished my errands, I came back (about 20 minutes later) and the car had gone. Had it still been there, I would have called the RSPCA.

I was left, as an older child, in a parked car but never as a baby or toddler.

It is very humid here today, you did the right thing

Yes, you did the right thing.

There is too much of this 'minding your own business' these days isn't there? You know that phrase 'takes a village to raise a child'?
If you did nothing then heard a child had died in there, how would you feel? You did absolutely the right thing and your mum is WRONG.

You did the right thing. I've done it and got a mouthful abuse, but I would do the same again.

You did the right thing. I've done it and got a mouthful abuse, but I would do the same again.

You absolutely did the right thing, as others have said babies die in hot cars and the poor little thing would have probably been terrified if he'd woken up alone in the car

you did the right thing even in winter its stupid to leave babies alone in cars! i reported a child in the car once they put a call out over the supermarket we were all treated to a lady pelting hell for leather to the car looking horrified apparently she normally had a babysitter for shopping days and totally forgot she had her baby with her! the police felt sorry for her in the end and she had to call her husband out to drive home she was shaking badly x

you did the right thing the shopper obviously got so embarassed they walked out maybe next time they will think again they were hardly nipping in for a pint of milk

You did the right thing and I think you should of put your Mum right on why its not on

Good call, OP.