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AIBU?

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Original poster

Why do people do this!!!! Are they just stupid?

42 replies

memoo · 25/05/2009 18:27

Sorry but this is a bit of a rant.

We went to mothercare today, we pulled in next to another car that on first apperance was empty.

As I got out of our car I noticed that there were actually 2 children asleep in the back of this car. A baby of about 10 months and a toddler. The car was all locked up, doors and windows closed. It has been so hot today, the temp gague in our own car showed 26 degrees. The thought of sitting in a car with all the windows shut was unbearable.

I stood there looking around thinking maybe there mum or dad has just taken the trolly back or something but there was nobody to be seen.

So we stood there with me getting increasing worried. I didn't know what the hell to do and tbh was on the verge on phoning the police.

Finally after about 10 minutes or so a women came out of mothercare laden down with bags so she must have been in there for quite a while. I just looked at her and tbh didn't know what to say without losing my temper so said nothing. She just put the bags in the boot, got in the car and drove off, she didn't even check on the children.

I just can't believe that somebody would do this. Its so incredably dangerous, children have died after being left in a hot car like this. Are some people really so stupid or do they just not give a damm

OP posts:
BanjosFanjo · 25/05/2009 18:29

< shakes head in despair >

FlorenceDaphne · 25/05/2009 18:29

Yes, they are that stupid.

I once went to the police station because a car in the carpark had a collir puppy in the back, thrashing around in agony. It was July and I was boiling outside the car. I dread to think what the temperature was like inside. The windows were open a crack, but honestly, for god's sake. I think the police broke the window in the end.

Some people literally don't have two brain cells to rub together

Original poster
memoo · 25/05/2009 18:42

I wish I had phoned the police tbh. It might have made her realise what she was doing

I know its hard to shop with a baby and toddler, especially if they had been asleep when she got to mothercare but half an hour of peaceful shopping is not worth risking your kids lifes for which is basically what she was doing.

OP posts:
Stayingsunnygirl · 25/05/2009 18:43

My dad once called the police to a car that had a baby in it. It was a hot day, and the car was in the carpark at a county show - not even a shop where one might pop in briefly - and the police told dad later that, if they hadn't broken in and got the baby out when they did, he'd probably have died!!

TheCrackFox · 25/05/2009 18:45

Some people really are twats.

MrsMcCluskey · 25/05/2009 18:50

That is just beyond stupid.

AnnieLobeseder · 25/05/2009 18:50

This is a major fear of mine, that I'll somehow forget that one of the dds is in the car and leave them in the heat. Not sure why, but it's one of those irrational fears you have and I get complete willies whenever I hear about it.

We've got just back from holiday in Israel and on the news there there was a story about a girl who died when her dad was supposed to take her to nursery but forgot he had her and drove to work and left in the car.

So, so dangerous!!!

pramspotter · 25/05/2009 18:54

The other day I walked past a car that had a little girl approximently 4 years old locked in it with the windows up.

This child was hysterical, screaming and banging on the windows. She must have been asleep and woken up in an empty car. I waited there to see if her parents would come back. No one came. DH went into all the nearby shops to find the parents. I stayed at the car and tried to reassure her through the closed window for what seemed like forever. Dh couldn't find the parents. We called the police in the end.

JenniPenni · 25/05/2009 18:56

I called the police when I saw a young girl in the car too... she had down syndrome, was about 6... was NOT happy being in the car by herself. The father got a caution from the police... he was inside the house eating dinner!!!

nickytwotimes · 25/05/2009 18:57

Yes, utter stupidity.

willowthewispa · 25/05/2009 18:57

God, that's awful pramspotter!

cheltenhamgal · 25/05/2009 19:01

OMG I cant believe that people can be so irresponsible. I read a story years ago of a woman leaving her children in a car while she visited her friend in a block of flats. She could see the car from her friends flat, so therefore when for what ever reason the car burst in to flames, she saw it happening ! It still chills me to think about it now

differentID · 25/05/2009 19:02

oh my Good god! that's horrific memoo!

Original poster
memoo · 25/05/2009 19:09

what did the police do pramspotter? I think people who do this should be charge with neglect or something

Thats horrific cheltenham!!

OP posts:
KingCanuteIAm · 25/05/2009 19:09

I will never forget watching a programme about the RSPCA where a dog was left in a car, the windows were down but, obviously, it was still too hot. By the time the officers got there it was too late. Quite a long time later the owners came back and were beside themselves "oh we didn't realise" "oh we were going to take her out now" and so on. They just couldn't get their heads around how it had happened.

Sadly people just don't seem to understand how these things go wrong. I do wonder if making them sit in a car at a similar temperature for a similar time (without water) would get the message through? I suspect the suggestion of such a thing would bring about cries of contravining human rights from the people it is threatened on - and what is the betting that they would still not understand why it is not ok

Sorry, the image from that programme has never gone away and the thought of a child dying like that turns my stomach and makes me want to kill someone in equal measure.

dal21 · 25/05/2009 19:35

Appalling. Simply disgusting.

JackBauer · 25/05/2009 20:08

Yes. Some people are just that stupid. Twats.

luvoneson · 25/05/2009 20:21

Some people just have no common sense whatsoever, what a stupid, irresponsible thing to do. Would never leave my ds in car.

AnnieLobeseder · 25/05/2009 20:30

Car temperatures can rise so, so quickly in the sun. So if I ever saw a child locked in a car on a sunny day, I would dial 999 without a second's hestitation - you never know how long they've already been in there and looking for the parents is wasting valuable time. If they're frantic, you don't know if it's because they're alone and frightened or because they're suffering. Similarly, if they're asleep, you don't know if it's because they're just asleep or unconcious (or worse).

Slickbird · 25/05/2009 21:23

Oh God, this is awful. Even today, while I had to put DD2 (toddler) in car and then go into house to get DS (baby) (we live in quiet hamlet and car on long driveway) I still left two doors open and it was only MILD here (outside Edinburgh) because I was concerned about it being too hot. Never mind proper hot weather.

Stupid, stupid arse. I don't think I would have been able to show your restraint at the woman.

StealthPolarBear · 25/05/2009 21:25

How can anyone not know this by now? I really don't get it!

bamboobutton · 25/05/2009 21:31

if i saw a child locked in a car like that i wouldn't even bother calling the police, i would quite happily smash every window myself

Cazzaben · 25/05/2009 21:45

Unfuckingbelieveable..... If thats a word... I know how hard it is to take out 2 little ones when they are sleeping but still...

WAKE EM UP!!! Stupid stupid...

Bamboo I would do that too!!! Smash it good and proper (or maybe I would smash 2 just to be safe!!) LOL

cheesesarnie · 25/05/2009 21:51

how horrible!

wasnt there a story not long ago on news-cant remember if was here or national new about a woman who left her child locked in the car so she could go clubbing as she'd not found a baby sitter.she was caught obviously but couldnt see what the problem was as she'd done it lots before and the child had been ok

its disgusting and disturbing.

DuchessOfRubbish · 25/05/2009 21:58

Aside from the heat factor, there are so many other dangers too... I think someone already said about the explosion but what about potential abductions, another car hitting the one with their child in, or serious injury or death from stuff inside the car..

In fact I am that people do this still. I thought it stopped happening in the 80's. It goes beyond idiotic.

by this thread. So sad this goes on.