Parents: would you want to know?

[Anonymous]

I live just outside Manhattan, in a community of apartments and townhouses (much like DC). The streets tend to get a good amount of foot traffic during the day, and occasional cars.

Today, I noticed an unattended stroller just inside a small (2 feet in height, so decorative more than protective) fenced area, between the sidewalk/street and the front of a townhouse (total distance between sidewalk and house is less than 10 feet). It caught my eye because I could see a baby's legs kicking; I would guess that the baby was under 6 months old, based on size.

I stood close-by for three minutes (I timed it) before the caretaker came outside and took the baby and stroller inside. I never saw the caretaker go inside initially, so the baby was definitely within feet of the sidewalk, unattended, for more than three minutes.

FYI, I do not think the caretaker was a parent.

What should I do?
1) Nothing;
2) Write a note to the parents and leave it at their house later tonight, when I assume the caretaker is not there; or
3) Knock on the door and tell the parents face-to-face.

I would want to know if someone saw my child like that, but is that the norm?

[Anonymous]

Did you witness the baby get kidnapped or killed or seriously injured? Then MYOB.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the baby was first kidnapped, then seriously injured, then killed (insert eye roll #1). I watched it all happen, and I decided to ask about it here on DCUM rather than call the police; I also intentionally left those details out of the post (insert eye roll #2).

Reign in the snark, a bit. A simple "do nothing" is sufficient.

[Anonymous]

I think I'd leave it alone OP. The child may have been well within sight of the adult, and you don't know the relationship.

Having said that, I'd probably also pay close attention in the future and if there was anything else that raised concern I might act.

[Anonymous]

I would not feel the need to be told.

[Anonymous]

Working in DC, I've worked in condos where I have a baby in a stroller and say grocery bags and my purse that must be carried in. I can see someone (carelessly) carrying the bags in and coming back for the baby, and perhaps that is what you saw OP. Yes it would be safer to take the baby in first, but either way, sometimes they will be unattended. I would keep an eye out for anything like this again in the future and speak to the parents directly, but in this one instance I think you should MYOB. Definitely not something I would do or want to see, but there could have been something that necessitated it.

[Anonymous]

Do whatever your gut is telling you.
Let us know how it goes.

[Anonymous]

I would appreciate a note with a phone number or email where I can ask for more information, or ignore, depending on how much I trusted the nanny.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely want to be told. It takes a village...

[Anonymous]

I would want to know. I never left my baby in a stroller outside alone for 30 seconds, let alone over 3 minutes. I would leave my purse a million times before I leave the baby

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would want to know. I never left my baby in a stroller outside alone for 30 seconds, let alone over 3 minutes. I would leave my purse a million times before I leave the baby

Of course, your purse is FAR more likely to be stolen than your baby is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would want to know. I never left my baby in a stroller outside alone for 30 seconds, let alone over 3 minutes. I would leave my purse a million times before I leave the baby

Of course, your purse is FAR more likely to be stolen than your baby is.

Purses are replaceable. Babies are not.

[Anonymous]

Definitely tell.

[Anonymous]

As a parent (and former nanny), I would definitely want to be told.

[Anonymous]

You take your purse and baby, put them in the house, come back for the rest. Never leave the baby. Yes, please tell the family.