Mother of 4 in US accidentally leaves 2-month-old outside shop for 40 minutes; charged with "child endangerment"

[TheOneWiththeNicestSmile]

www.cbsnews.com/news/phoenix-arizona-mom-cherish-peterson-left-baby-strapped-shopping-cart/

It's hard to resist the idea that there are some seriously unbalanced people in charge over there

Maybe she left junior with a gun to defend itself. Hmmm.

Many years ago my mother left me outside a local shop in a pram, she got home and just finishing her tea and started planning the rest of her day when realised what she did.

The stress running back to the shops worried what she would or wouldn't find, was enough to ensure it never happened again - although by 11 years old and after the 20th time, I started to take it personally.

And yes I was dropped on my head, at least once. lol

Seriously 'stuff' happens, if it isn't a problem household, there is no record of substance or alcohol abuse - and being called Cherish from birth hasn't somehow mentally unstabled the mother - I don't understand why prosecuting an already guilt ridden parent will help.

Apparently they weren't going to initially but "social media" whipped up a bad mother storm

It's very like something I would do and probably will do. I have never seen a young mother so beside herself. It was an innocent mistake that will cause so much damage to her children before it's finished.

poor woman. She's probably exhausted. I did this with the buggy multiple times when my son was little, could very easily have been in it.

I saw this on fb, I hope the charges are dropped.

The mother has been interviewed and she is quite clearly distraught over the incident. She is going to beat herself up enough about it.

It's like those horrible times when babies have been left in cars by accident etc. Absolutely horrible but accidents and there is research showing it's to do with the way the brain works, changes to routines etc. It can happen to anyone.

I have been watching this kick off on a (mostly American) FB page tonight. Some people have pointed out that if someone who was paid to watch your children did this then you'd be less than impressed which is a fair point. I haven't watched the video interview, but I believe that she left three children in the car and just took the baby into the store. I don't think she left the baby behind deliberately but I do find it hard to see how she could

Sorry -- I don't think she left the baby behind deliberately but I do find it hard to see how she could have missed the baby in the trolley? Not sure if prosecution is the way to go but if the Police get involved then there is likely to be consequences even if it's just a talking to.

What on earth is the point in bringing charges? It was an accident!

FFS.

I left DS in the house when I first loaded up the car with all his stuff. My gran left me outside Tesco and got the bus home. She's a frazzled mother of 4 with a newborn. I can see how this can happen. Poor woman

I think it's a bit disingenuous to compare this mother to a childminder.

A child minder most probably would not be at work only 2 months after giving birth, whilst still doing night feeds yet still having to wake early to deal with older children.

My mum left my sister parked outside the corner shop when she was 2. (she'd just had our youngest sibling) My dad apparently watched the whole thing from our doorstep, finding it hilarious as my sister struggled to free herself from her buggy

When my mum reached him he asked if she'd forgotten anything. It was only when she turned to head back to the shop for the "bastard milk" that she noticed and remembered my sister.

She was a good mother, she was exhausted and stressed.

fizrum i really hope that she didn't leave her other Dc in the car, that would warrant some charges in itself.

I'm a bit on the fence about the charge for baby Huxton, but remember this id a country where parents get charged with a misdemeanour if their DC miss more than 10 part/full days of school in 6mths.

Not sure what the sentences are like, and it is, in this case, up to the prosecutor to proceed, and they may not think it justified to do so.

This happens. It's all very well saying "I can't see how it would happen", but it did happen. I can think of other women I know who have done something similar. (And don't forget, David Cameron left his own daughter in the pub.)

She was stressed, she was exhausted. Perhaps if we supported new mothers a bit more instead of expecting them to be superwomen, this kind of thing would be less likely to happen.

I forgot I even had a baby once, somebody asked how my son was and I replied 'what son?' They reminded me I'd just had a baby.

I think if we haven't done this ourselves most of us know someone who has done something like this. I can see no benefit at all in prosecuting all these people. You give the parent a criminal record this could lead to them losing their job/being unable to get a job, pushing the family and children into poverty. Even worse removing the child from the mothers care (assuming no other issues) madness, we all know what a great parent the state is and how fantastic the outcomes for children in state care.

gosh she won't be the only one who has done this.(I left my dog behind once, so can imagine it happening with a child)

I took one child to nursey and all the baby kit, didn't realise until arrival baby was still at home alone. Your brain is trying to snooze whilst your mind is trying to create some sort of order and time, order and clarity get a bit fuzzy. Poor woman

Whilst I've never left any of mine, that would be more by good luck than good management.
There's been some close calls

I suspect that once the "authorities" knew there would have been just as much public wailing and gnashing of teeth if they hadn't prosecuted.