Just got yelled at for leaving my kid alone in in the car while I went to the pharmacy

[Anonymous]

Maryland Family Law §5-801 states that it is a CRIME to leave a child younger than 8 years old unattended, locked or confined to a home, car, building or other enclosure without proper supervision.

In DC, guidelines state that a child under 10 should be left unattended in a car or home, etc.
DC Official Code §16-2301(9) (A) (ii)

For Virginia:
SB 1466 Unattended children in motor vehicles; penalty -
Provides that any person responsible for the care of a child who leaves an unattended child in a motor vehicle where (i) the child's health, safety, and well-being are at risk or (ii) the vehicle's engine is on or running is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill authorizes any law-enforcement officer who observes or is alerted to the existence of an unattended child to use whatever means are reasonably necessary to protect the child and defines "unattended child" as a child four years of age or younger who has been left in a motor vehicle by the person responsible for his care when such person is unable to continuously observe the child, unless a person 12 years of age or older is physically present in the motor vehicle with the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my kid is 7 years old. I left him inside the car with it running while I went to go pick up my medication from the pharmacy. He asked me to, since he didn’t want to come in with me. I tried to tempt him but he wasn’t into it, so I told him he could stay in the car. I come out and a security guard started yelling at me, questioning me about where I was and saying I can’t leave my kid alone in the car until he is a teenager. He also went to my car and questioned my child. My kid is responsible because he has a special needs brother. For example, he is responsible in the morning for making sure his brother gets to his classroom because we aren’t allowed in (the school suggested this to us). Thoughts? Is it really a crime to leave a 7 year old in the car for 10 minutes?

Huh?? Maybe he's responsible in comparison to a special needs brother, but no 7 year old is "responsible".

Bad parent. Team security guard.

[Anonymous]

^ should NOT be left unattended

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's against the law where I am but I do it occasionally. My toddler was sick, fell asleep in the car, older siblings had an outdoor swim lesson. I double parked where I shouldn't have and kept checking on him for drop off/pick up. Sue me!

So you illegally parked and illegally left your child in the car? Wow parent of the year here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my kid is 7 years old. I left him inside the car with it running while I went to go pick up my medication from the pharmacy. He asked me to, since he didn’t want to come in with me. I tried to tempt him but he wasn’t into it, so I told him he could stay in the car. I come out and a security guard started yelling at me, questioning me about where I was and saying I can’t leave my kid alone in the car until he is a teenager. He also went to my car and questioned my child. My kid is responsible because he has a special needs brother. For example, he is responsible in the morning for making sure his brother gets to his classroom because we aren’t allowed in (the school suggested this to us). Thoughts? Is it really a crime to leave a 7 year old in the car for 10 minutes?

They were right. You don't leave the car running with a child inside. That was poor judgement. No kid at 7 is responsbile like that.

[Anonymous]

This happened to someone I know. The cops were called and CPS later paid her a visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:YES, it is a crime here.

The guard did an excellent job. Good for him.

No, it’s not a “crime”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YES, it is a crime here.

The guard did an excellent job. Good for him.

No, it’s not a “crime”.

What do you call it when something is "against the law" ? Are you trying to be cutesy and call it "non-lawful" or something? Yes, it's a crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland Family Law §5-801 states that it is a CRIME to leave a child younger than 8 years old unattended, locked or confined to a home, car, building or other enclosure without proper supervision.

In DC, guidelines state that a child under 10 should be left unattended in a car or home, etc.
DC Official Code §16-2301(9) (A) (ii)

For Virginia:
SB 1466 Unattended children in motor vehicles; penalty -
Provides that any person responsible for the care of a child who leaves an unattended child in a motor vehicle where (i) the child's health, safety, and well-being are at risk or (ii) the vehicle's engine is on or running is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill authorizes any law-enforcement officer who observes or is alerted to the existence of an unattended child to use whatever means are reasonably necessary to protect the child and defines "unattended child" as a child four years of age or younger who has been left in a motor vehicle by the person responsible for his care when such person is unable to continuously observe the child, unless a person 12 years of age or older is physically present in the motor vehicle with the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YES, it is a crime here.

The guard did an excellent job. Good for him.

No, it’s not a “crime”.

What do you call it when something is "against the law" ? Are you trying to be cutesy and call it "non-lawful" or something? Yes, it's a crime.

It’s not a crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, my kid is 7 years old. I left him inside the car with it running while I went to go pick up my medication from the pharmacy. He asked me to, since he didn’t want to come in with me. I tried to tempt him but he wasn’t into it, so I told him he could stay in the car. I come out and a security guard started yelling at me, questioning me about where I was and saying I can’t leave my kid alone in the car until he is a teenager. He also went to my car and questioned my child. My kid is responsible because he has a special needs brother. For example, he is responsible in the morning for making sure his brother gets to his classroom because we aren’t allowed in (the school suggested this to us). Thoughts? Is it really a crime to leave a 7 year old in the car for 10 minutes?

Yes and you are a horrible parent

Lazy

+1

[Anonymous]

Were you parked in a fire lane, like so many people who will take “only a minute” but come back ten minutes later? I would have yelled at you for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YES, it is a crime here.

The guard did an excellent job. Good for him.

No, it’s not a “crime”.

What do you call it when something is "against the law" ? Are you trying to be cutesy and call it "non-lawful" or something? Yes, it's a crime.

It’s not a crime.

In Maryland, it is a crime. I don't necessarily agree that it's unsafe at seven, but it is a misdemeanor, so I didn't do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YES, it is a crime here.

The guard did an excellent job. Good for him.

No, it’s not a “crime”.

What do you call it when something is "against the law" ? Are you trying to be cutesy and call it "non-lawful" or something? Yes, it's a crime.

It’s not a crime.

It's a crime in Maryland. Where is OP?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like in VA this is fine after 4. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯