Tragic case of stressed mother leaving her child alone in car

[GiantSquirrelSpotter]

www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=458063&in_page_id=1811

This is a dreadful case, but what I found quite heartening, is that the Belgian child protection authorities have not immediately bayed for the mother's blood; they've responded with compassion, not condemnation, acknowledging that tragic mistakes happen and forgetfulness does not equal lack of love.

I just wish the English could learn a bit about compassion in cases like this.

It would be like forgetting to lock the door or pick up your sandwiches from the fridge - repeated action you do every day, so even once you think about it you can't be certain whether or not you have done it because you might be remembering doing it another day IYSWIM.
I don't think it necessarily means she had PND or anything.
Poor, poor woman.

I agree with Gobbledigook. How had no one recognised that she was struggling so much for this to have happened. Apparantly she didn't even realise until she arrived back at the nursery to pick the baby up.

wonder why a passerby didn't notice or do anything?

God, that poor, poor woman.

I'm in tears thinking how awful this must be for her.

I wonder if she'll ever get over it. I hope she gets the very best therapy to help her cope with her grief.

I did drive to work one day with DS#2 in the car by mistake. Just forgot to take him to CMs. So I turned round and did so. Still find it odd to think that she didn't realise. But if he was asleep I suppose it might be easier to do.

This is what happens when people have f all support. I bet she was worn to a frazzle trying to cope with everything.

Poor woman and poor poor babY.

technically what she has done could be construde as neglect but i am sure she would not have had any action taken in the uk either, although obviously SSD would be in touch with regards to her being able to cope with her other two children.

it would of course be considered that her own guilt is enough punishment.

Ho hum. Compassion and all that.

feeling some sympathy for the poor woman is good, being understanding of the cause is also good but you cannot excuse her actions as ithas lead to the death of a baby.

Does making a mistake mean someone is negligent?
If so, does that mean we all have to reorganise our lives so that we never ever make mistakes?
If so I'm b*ggered if I know how....

Oh this is so sad and I can understand how it could have happened as I get very confused/forgetful when stressed.

neglect is someones action or inaction casuing or lilkely to cause harm.

by her action - leaving baby in the car on a hot day for 8 hours - it caused harm - he died.
so yes technically it was neglect.

an accident is something you cannot foresee or haver control over....tripping over a mat and the hot tea your holding scolds your child....this is an accident.

as i say, i doubt even in the UK she would be [rosecuted but yes she would have had an investigation held and yes she would have future help/involvment from SS.

Kerrymum she didn't leave her baby in the car deliberately.

She didn't realise she had left her baby in the car.

That is a very different scenario.

What help / involvement would such a woman have got from SS?

Would it have been practical, useful help? Or just surveillance and tick box reports?

She shouldn't be prosecuted. Poor woman. You can call it negligence if you like but punishment would be totally OTT and irrevelevant.

I forgot to pick ds2 up from junior school once . We were in temporary accommodation at the time and it meant he had to cross a very busy road and walk quite a long way (not in itself that terrible but it was to an unfamiliar home). I eventually picked him up about half way with my heart thudding like a good un!

It still makes me sweat when I think of it now

give the woman a bit of compassion for fuck sake you lot

She would have some extra practicle help. things like respite would be offered, strategies for getting her more organised so that she isn't so stressed.

no one (from what i have seen) has asked for her to be prosecuted.

I saw this story yesterday but didn't post it on here as I was worried that some posters would react strongly and attack the mother.

The poor woman drove to the nursery to pick the baby up so had obviously not realised what had happened. She must have been extremely stressed and the horror of finding the baby dead in the car is punishment enough surely. It was a terrible, terrible mistake that she'll never forgive herself for.

That poor, poor baby I jus hope he didn't suffer