How long would you leave it until you do something about a 3 year old in a car?

[quidi]

What's the cut off age? I'm sitting in my car, another car had been here since I got here and it's been 30 mins now. Little boy/girl is crying in the car a couple of cars down, literally wailing. What should I do? Someone must be coming back in a bit. Child is about 3.

[DelicatePreciousThing1]

We all react differently. The OP sought advice and acted on her concerns.

[Soubriquet]

Tbf I would hope most people would do something before 30 mins

[quidi]

I phoned 101

Will be home in a sec

[sisterignatius]

This is an interesting perspective on this topic, which comes up time and time again on Mumsnet. I'm not justifying the mother's behaviour in this case but it certainly made me think about how we evaluate risk and how quickly we pass judgement.

[Mummaaaaaah]

At least OP did something. Imagine how many other people in the high street heard /saw the poor child and walked on by.

The mother on the other hand should be prosecuted.

[BrightOranges]

I hope I'm never in a situation similar whereby something may have happened to me to prevent me returning to my child. But if it ever were to happen, I so hope a passer by would do something about a distressed child sooner than watching for 30 minutes.

[Bettybooop25]

BrightOranges I agree.

[Wonkydonkey44]

Well done calling the police , shame on the mother!