Accidental child death, prosecute the parents?

[Anonymous]

In addition to leaving Ryan in the car twice, in this case there are none of the mitigating factors present in some of the other cases, e.g., that the parent was departing from his/her regular routine for some reason, was driving a different car, was not the parent who normally dropped the child off, had to make an extra stop on the way, went to work at a different location, was dealing with some work or family crisis by phone while in the car that morning, etc.

In this case, the mother was the one who dropped him off every morning on her way to work, and on this particular day, she just didn't drop him off. It was her regular routine but she just went straight to work instead. It's hard to understand how she didn't just drive to the daycare on "autopilot" if that's what she did every day.

[Anonymous]

The first time it was January, you are not thinking about over heating, but rather cold. My sister did it in winter, the child screamed so loud that the car alarms sounded. She did not think: Geee, if it had been a 95 degree day....

[Anonymous]

I wonder if the mom had undiagnosed/untreated ADHD. Seriously.....I have it and I'm treated for it but things like this scare the crap out of me because I'm SO MUCH more vulnerable to distraction.

Then please follow some of the simple safety tips, like the stuffed animal in the carseat, purse always goes in the back, diaper bag always goes in front with you, daycare provider MUST call you if child is not dropped off on time (and must speak to you, not just leave a message), etc. These things are so simple and would probably put your mind at ease. Not that I think you would really forget, but it's just an extra layer of security. I'm not particularly distracted, but I do the purse in the backseat, diaper bag up front every time I get in the car. I also do not talk on the phone in the car, at all. I think that definitely leads to distraction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to leaving Ryan in the car twice, in this case there are none of the mitigating factors present in some of the other cases, e.g., that the parent was departing from his/her regular routine for some reason, was driving a different car, was not the parent who normally dropped the child off, had to make an extra stop on the way, went to work at a different location, was dealing with some work or family crisis by phone while in the car that morning, etc.

In this case, the mother was the one who dropped him off every morning on her way to work, and on this particular day, she just didn't drop him off. It was her regular routine but she just went straight to work instead. It's hard to understand how she didn't just drive to the daycare on "autopilot" if that's what she did every day.

As a physician I can only imagine that her life is similar to mine. The mental stress and fatigue means that there is no routine. I have fallen asleep while driving down I-95 and fallen asleep with my two toddlers running around the house unsupervised for hours. We are no longer paid enough to afford 24 hour child care. I always want to sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to leaving Ryan in the car twice, in this case there are none of the mitigating factors present in some of the other cases, e.g., that the parent was departing from his/her regular routine for some reason, was driving a different car, was not the parent who normally dropped the child off, had to make an extra stop on the way, went to work at a different location, was dealing with some work or family crisis by phone while in the car that morning, etc.

In this case, the mother was the one who dropped him off every morning on her way to work, and on this particular day, she just didn't drop him off. It was her regular routine but she just went straight to work instead. It's hard to understand how she didn't just drive to the daycare on "autopilot" if that's what she did every day.

I did not realize this part. I did not think she took him to school in the morning. I could atleast try to understand what happened before but now I am baffled. The other thing is that I am so confused on how she both times getting in and out of the car did not see the child. She even went home and inside and did not know he was in the car.

Being scatterbrained is one thing but her entire mental state makes no sense. Even with extreme ADHD as an adult, she is a functioning vet so I would assume she would be on something to get her in the proper mind set for work but to completely forget about your child...I dont understand.

[Anonymous]

The first time it was January, you are not thinking about over heating, but rather cold. My sister did it in winter, the child screamed so loud that the car alarms sounded. She did not think: Geee, if it had been a 95 degree day....

She definitely should have thought that! It's one of the first things I would have thought of. Has she never heard of babies dying in hot cars? She's very lucky she did it in the winter and that she was there to hear the car alarm. I'm glad her child is ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The state (i.e. society) has a right to look after the well-being of the child even if the parents are going to suffer the loss of the child. That child had a right to cared for.

I'm wondering how those who say "don't prosecute" would feel if it was the nanny who left the child in the car. Somehow, I think they would want the nanny prosecuted for child neglect under the theory that the nanny isn't suffering the loss of the child.

I believe the parents ARE suffering the loss and I'm sure the mother is devastated that she killed her child.... that's not sufficient for me. I'm not out to put her in jail for the rest of her life... but I believe the state must do something to speak up for the child whose life was snuffed out. If she is given community service and a day in jail each year for 10 years, that would be fine with me.

Exactly! You'd all be out for blood if it was anyone other than a mom or dad. Give me a break. This was no accident, it was negligence pure and simple. She did this one other time and had the unbelievable good fortune and luck that it all turned out OK. WHO DOES THIS TWICE? I'm just sorry that it's her son who paid the price for her stupidity and utter disregard. I feel really bad for the rest of the family who is now suffering for her acts; I don't feel bad for her. The first time was an accident. The second - go to jail.

I would have a harder time if it happened to the nanny because caring for the child is your ONLY job. Not dropping the child off at daycare then running to work.

Take a look at the following and PLEASE try to ignore the reference to C. Anthony.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/casey-anthony-and-karen-murphy-two-kids-dead-two-moms-charged-with-murder/2011/07/07/gIQAPLa81H_story.html

This article changes nothing for me. We do no one a good service by acting like there is really any excuse worthy of what happened here. As PP said, her routines were not disrupted, etc. And for the record, yes, I work out of the home, I have a job, but it's still my PRIMARY job to keep my daughter alive. Seriously. It doesn't have to be my ONLY job. That's a ridiculous statement.

[Anonymous]

As a physician I can only imagine that her life is similar to mine. The mental stress and fatigue means that there is no routine. I have fallen asleep while driving down I-95 and fallen asleep with my two toddlers running around the house unsupervised for hours. We are no longer paid enough to afford 24 hour child care. I always want to sleep.

I am not sure what your point is. Is it that because doctors are no longer paid well, it is society's fault that you fall asleep while driving and fall asleep at home, leaving your 2 toddlers unsupervised for hours at a stretch?

If, God forbid, something happens to one of your kids while you're sleeping instead of watching them, or you end up causing a tragic accident and injuring some innocent person because you fell asleep at the wheel, are you going to say "well, I don't make enough money for 24-hour child care, so it's not my fault"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

As a physician I can only imagine that her life is similar to mine. The mental stress and fatigue means that there is no routine. I have fallen asleep while driving down I-95 and fallen asleep with my two toddlers running around the house unsupervised for hours. We are no longer paid enough to afford 24 hour child care. I always want to sleep.

I am not sure what your point is. Is it that because doctors are no longer paid well, it is society's fault that you fall asleep while driving and fall asleep at home, leaving your 2 toddlers unsupervised for hours at a stretch?

If, God forbid, something happens to one of your kids while you're sleeping instead of watching them, or you end up causing a tragic accident and injuring some innocent person because you fell asleep at the wheel, are you going to say "well, I don't make enough money for 24-hour child care, so it's not my fault"?

NO! I am saying that people are stretched and busy, so as a result....SOMETIMES mistakes happen. No one wants mistakes, no one, but they happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

As a physician I can only imagine that her life is similar to mine. The mental stress and fatigue means that there is no routine. I have fallen asleep while driving down I-95 and fallen asleep with my two toddlers running around the house unsupervised for hours. We are no longer paid enough to afford 24 hour child care. I always want to sleep.

I am not sure what your point is. Is it that because doctors are no longer paid well, it is society's fault that you fall asleep while driving and fall asleep at home, leaving your 2 toddlers unsupervised for hours at a stretch?

If, God forbid, something happens to one of your kids while you're sleeping instead of watching them, or you end up causing a tragic accident and injuring some innocent person because you fell asleep at the wheel, are you going to say "well, I don't make enough money for 24-hour child care, so it's not my fault"?

NO! I am saying that people are stretched and busy, so as a result....SOMETIMES mistakes happen. No one wants mistakes, no one, but they happen.

True. But this one happened twice. Same mistake but the second time it was too late. (Not pp you are responding to)

[Anonymous]

Most of you parents must be so perfect. How come you don't want to prosecute when the toddler drowns in the pool. No excuses there in my opinion. Anyone silly enough to own a pool with a small child is a fool....

[Anonymous]

Geez - every time I read about this happening it scares the shit out of me. I take all the precautions, put my purse under my kid's chair so I have to open the door to get it. Always check the car seats before I get out of the car even when I know the kids aren't with me; and I have never left either kid in the car alone - but it still scares me. It could happen to anyone - that poor mother must feel terrible. I'm on the fence about prosecuting, but mostly because I don't think anything the state can do will make her feel anything worse than she already does, or provide any of the main purposes of prosecution (punishment? she'll be beating herself up for the rest of her life; reformation? I think she's probably learned her lesson) - so it's mostly just a waste of taxpayer money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez - every time I read about this happening it scares the shit out of me. I take all the precautions, put my purse under my kid's chair so I have to open the door to get it. Always check the car seats before I get out of the car even when I know the kids aren't with me; and I have never left either kid in the car alone - but it still scares me. It could happen to anyone - that poor mother must feel terrible. I'm on the fence about prosecuting, but mostly because I don't think anything the state can do will make her feel anything worse than she already does, or provide any of the main purposes of prosecution (punishment? she'll be beating herself up for the rest of her life; reformation? I think she's probably learned her lesson) - so it's mostly just a waste of taxpayer money.

Should have learned it the first time. That's my entire beef with her. The universe gave her a pass - "Hey, lady, you are prone to making this mistake. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN, OK? We're going to let your kid live this time, but recognize your limitations and do something so we don't have to come back." And she did it again. I can't fathom how anyone does this twice, I really can't.

[Anonymous]

NO! I am saying that people are stretched and busy, so as a result....SOMETIMES mistakes happen. No one wants mistakes, no one, but they happen.

I guess what I was trying to say is that your post really scares me. Running yourself so ragged that you fall asleep on the interstate or leave small children unsupervised for hours on end is not a "mistake." My concern was that your lifestyle in general sounds like it is endangering your children and others (your fellow drivers & their passengers), and that is something that I hope you will try to change. Truly, not trying to judge but this sounds dangerous to me.

I am a working mom of four and I'm stretched and busy too. Now, I'm not a doctor so no one's going to die if I screw up at work, so I don't presume to be under the kind of pressure you're under in your job. And I freely admit I make mistakes every day, plenty of them. I forget to pay a bill or return a phone call. I even forgot one of my kids' doctors appointments recently. But I don't regularly drive around falling asleep at the wheel or pass out on the couch leaving my toddler to run amok for two hours. When that is just part of your daily life, rather than a huge wake-up call that something's gotta give, it is not a "mistake," it's just irresponsible.

And, as has been stated multiple times here, the first time this mom left Ryan in the car was arguably a mistake. The second time, it is a pattern of behavior.

[Anonymous]

Prosecute her for manslaughter, but not for MURDER. She could spend the rest of her life in prison - how does that benefit society in any way?