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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to call 999 after seeing a baby alone in a car?

169 replies

VividMentor · 23/04/2026 19:29

I saw a baby left alone in a car in a car park of a Sainsbury's, no one around, I was leaving the trolley to put my son in my car, and I noticed a baby in the car seat, alone in the car. I went inside the store a told security, then came out and felt very uncomfortable leaving like that, so I called 999. By the time I finished the call, I went back inside the shop to check if security tracked the parents, they didn't. Went back to the car, got a call from 999 asking me to call them if the parents came back, which a did a while later when the mother approached the car. Then she called the father and he arrived a minute later very angry at me for calling. I explained that I waited, no one showed up and I called, what if no one came back? What if, considering the windows were open, someone took the baby? Also, if they were 2 people, why didn't the mother stay in the car since the only needed bread apparently? Police arrived and I left after talking to them, but this father looked very angry. Did I do the wrong thing here? That baby was alone in the car for a good 30 minutes.

OP posts:
BinNightTonight · 23/04/2026 21:40

You did the right thing. I cant wrap my head around what the parents were thinking at all.

Pistachiocake · 23/04/2026 21:43

Rizzz · 23/04/2026 19:42

Did the police say you were unreasonable?

Did the police say you did the wrong thing?

If the answer is no, then I'm surprised you're asking Mumsnet?

I'm surprised the police just let OP go; surely they should be removing the baby, or at the very least involving social services, and I would have thought they'd want OP's details as a witness. The fact they were angry makes it sound like this was deliberate, not that they left her by accident.

DanceMumTaxi · 23/04/2026 21:43

Safeguarding is everybody’s job. You 100% did the right thing. The dad was only mad because they got found out doing the wrong thing. Imagine if something terrible had happened.

Pinkflamingo10 · 23/04/2026 21:44

You were 100% in the right here. It’s every adults job to safeguard children.
poor baby.
parents are angry because they got busted neglecting their child.

asdbaybeeee · 23/04/2026 21:45

Sainsbury’s should have a policy for this, they should have managed it not you.
You did the right thing though.

AffableApple · 23/04/2026 21:48

Dalmationday · 23/04/2026 19:46

I think if it’s 2 mins outside a Tesco express it’s a bit different. 30 mins alone is mad????

It's different. It isn't better.

greyweek · 23/04/2026 21:48

Rizzz · 23/04/2026 19:42

Did the police say you were unreasonable?

Did the police say you did the wrong thing?

If the answer is no, then I'm surprised you're asking Mumsnet?

I like that op posted on here. If any mums are not clear whether this is wrong or right reading the shocked responses of the rest of the posters should clear it up.

Daftypants · 23/04/2026 21:53

You did exactly the right thing .
30 minutes alone in the car ..also it’s been very sunny where I am so would’ve got warm , very warm in the car .
Those parents are an absolute disgrace

OnceUponATimed · 23/04/2026 21:54

Rizzz · 23/04/2026 19:58

So it still won't be enough when every person on this thread tells you the same 🤷‍♂️

Why the need to be so antagonistic? Are you just one of those dicks that like to make people feel bad?

greyweek · 23/04/2026 22:03

Notarealblonde · 23/04/2026 20:27

Oh no i meant. Did they look like trailer trash

What does trailer trash look like…?!

DBSFstupid · 23/04/2026 22:25

1983Louise · 23/04/2026 19:44

Definitely the right thing, well done you, we need more people like you 😊

Agree 100%

SammyScrounge · 23/04/2026 22:52

Auroraloves · 23/04/2026 19:30

You did absolutely the right thing

Absolutely you did the right thing.

Pyjamatimenow · 23/04/2026 22:58

Absolutely the right thing. I would have done the same

ImImmortalNowBabyDoll · 23/04/2026 23:02

You may have saved the baby's life. Hopefully next time they think about leaving a baby in a car on a warm day, they'll remember this. And also social services will now be able to keep an eye on them as if this is how they act in public, goodness knows how they act at home.

Happyjoe · 23/04/2026 23:18

Well done I say, you did grand. Stupid parents.

Spookyspaghetti · 23/04/2026 23:23

VividMentor · 23/04/2026 19:55

You don't know anyone with severe anxiety probably, the dispatcher and the officer that arrived both told me I did the right thing and thanked me, but that's not enough unfortunately for someone with severe anxiety.

From one person with anxiety to another, it takes guts to step up and intervene even for people who don’t so well done.

nocoolnamesleft · 23/04/2026 23:28

Of course you did the right thing. Good for you!

IndigoBabble · 23/04/2026 23:32

@VividMentoryou absolutely did the right thing and importantly the police will pass this on to children’s services to ensure there is nothing else of concern for that baby.

Vaxtable · 23/04/2026 23:33

You absolutely did the right thing

cadburyegg · 23/04/2026 23:39

30 minutes?!

Jeez, YANBU.
sounds like you did exactly the right thing

SheSaidHummingbird · 23/04/2026 23:42

Rizzz · 23/04/2026 19:42

Did the police say you were unreasonable?

Did the police say you did the wrong thing?

If the answer is no, then I'm surprised you're asking Mumsnet?

Because she wants more praise.

Onlinemum22 · 23/04/2026 23:43

GranolaBaker · 23/04/2026 19:42

30 minutes?! You absolutely did the right thing.

A family friend left their baby in the car by accident in a hot country and the baby died (terrible terrible tale and the most horrific mistake that will quite obviously haunt them forever). It doesn’t have to be a hot day for a young child to get heat stroke and die, quite apart from the abduction fears (and just general competence of the parents - what other safety things are they this causal with? )

'By accident'???
That's not even a real reason.

LeftBoobGoneRogue · 23/04/2026 23:43

@VividMentoryou absolutely did the right thing.
Those parents are totally irresponsible.

Channellingsophistication · 23/04/2026 23:49

totally the right thing to do - poor baby how awful

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