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Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Posted: Friday, September 07, 2007 8:30 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under:

Yesterday we brought you the tragic story of a 2-year-old girl who died after her mother left her in a locked car for eight hours as the temperature approached 100 degrees outside -- and came close to 150 degrees inside.

The mother, Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby, had changed her daily routine that morning before going to work as an assistant principal at a middle school in Ohio. Instead of dropping off her daughter with the babysitter, she went to buy donuts for her fellow teachers, then went to work -- forgetting that her daughter was still asleep in the back seat.

Police brought Nesselroad-Slaby in for questioning after the incident, and her pain and guilt are apparent, as this video shows (it's tough to watch). WATCH VIDEO

Although police questioned Nesselroad-Slaby, Clermont County prosecutor Don White decided not to seek an indictment, because Ohio law stipulates that "reckless conduct" must be present. Mr. White said that although leaving the child was "a substantial lapse of due care," it did not meet the definition of "reckless conduct."

A lot of people have had a strong reaction to this story. Some believe that she should be tried, that this was criminal negligence. Others say that having to deal with the accidental death of her daughter is punishment enough. (You can vote on todayshow.com.)

I'm certainly no expert on Ohio law, but it seems like common sense that this woman -- while maybe not acting "recklessly" -- acted so negligently that it led to the death of her child. And while we can certainly feel sorry for her over the loss of her child, she was responsible for endangering the life of a child.

In the past 10 years, there have been about 340 heat-related deaths of children trapped in cars. Charges were filed in about half of those deaths. Of the cases that have gone to trial, 81 percent resulted in convictions or guilty pleas, half of which brought jail sentences.

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Comments

This is something that unfortunately could happen to any of us. We get so busy with "life" that we sometimes become irresponsibly distracted. I am in no way condoning this horrible accident, but that is exactly what this is...a horrible accident. This mother did not intentially leave this child in the car...she will be punished every day for the rest of her life knowing that she caused this death. The rest of us need to leave her alone to grieve for her precious child.

Kelli, Fort Smith, AR (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:02 AM)

When I first heard this story, I became angry with the mothers actions.  How could anyone leave their 2 year old in the car, unattended, for any length of time?  Then, I heard that it was an accident, that her schedule was thrown off, that this was not intentional; and so I felt sympathy for her.  I felt that she would have to deal with this for the rest of her life.  Then I heard that she had done this before, and that it was reported to the police.  Again, I became angry.  I don't care what reason or how rushed a person is, you NEVER leave a child unattended alone in a car.  And, when you make a habit of it, it becomes easier each time, thus the negligience of the whole thing.  My final thought:  only she knows the whole truth and will have to deal with it either way, convicted or not.  It is not up to me to judge, but to forgive.

Katie, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:04 AM)

There is just no excuse.  I have three children.  They are the most precious things in the world to me.  They are now 24, 22, and 17.  I can honestly say that there is not two hours in any day that I do not think about one or all of them.  They are constantly in my mind.  I am thinking of them while at work, wondering how they are, wondering what they are doing, calling them to see whats going on in their lives, etc.  To not even THINK of your child for 8 hours is incomprehensable to me.  She is not a mother...she is a selfish, worthless woman who deserves prison.  This not simple negligence this is murder!  There is a news story out there right now of a police man who accidentally left his dog in the car and the dog died.  He is being prosecuted.  Are our children in this country worth less than an animal.  Both are tragic, however, this policeman did not give birth to the animal.  He did not experience the first movements of his child in the womb...he hear his childs first cries of life....this was a dog!  No real mother would EVER do something like this. No REAL mother ever goes 8 hours without thinking of her children.  This is a horrible monster.  I am ashamed of whomever decided to just let her get away with this as if her child were just some piece of trash that could be forgotten about and discarded for 8 hours.  The suffering this baby went through is mind boggling...If I were in charge, I would make this uncaring, selfish, doughnut chomping woman sit locked in a boiling car for 8 hours til she died the same way her beautiful innocent child did!!!!  Let her suffer and suffer forever!!!  I have no pity whatsoever...I am a mother...she is not, she never will be and she never should have been.  Social services should save her other child before it is too late!!!!!

Nancy Smith, Madison Wisconsin (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:06 AM)

This is very sad. With the technology and sending people to the space,and programed coffee makers, vcr,etc,  we should come up with a standard device to alert police and parents about anybody's presence in the vehicle or home; something to alert you while your are leaving your car,home, like a loud siren in the car, home, cel phone. Common! it is time to CARE FOR OUR KIDS! WE ARE THEIR ONLY DEFENDANTS!!

Laura , Killeen tx (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:13 AM)

How nice it must be to be able to stand and pass judgment.  Mothers who are posting here, talking about how they are stressed with their daily lives, how they work and go to school and yet NEVER leave their children in the car, should remember one thing.  Its not that they NEVER leave their children behind in the car, its just NEVER happened yet.  Here is the question to ask:  while this mother was taking her other children to school, stopping at the store to buy snacks for a work meeting, who then had to work all day worrying about the children of hundreds of other mothers - where was her damn husband to help?  The problem with the United States is that mothers have to do everything.  No one would try a man for this same offense.  As a matter of fact, if a man did this, all people in America would ask is "Where was the mother?"  Stop blaming and start empathising.  Mothers do not support each other, yet you are the only ones who know how difficult it is in today's world to parent.  

M Horton, Chapel Hill, NC (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:14 AM)

I want to know how the anyone can say this was an accident? If you watch the video you will see she backed into the parking spot to unload the donuts. When I back in somewhere I turn around to look where I am going.....how do you not see in your back seat?? She also got in and out of her car 3 or 4 times.....at some point she had to see in her car??
I am sure she did not mean for this to happen.But it DID. She should at least be charged with child endangerment. To charge her with nothing is a crime. I hope she doesn't forget her other child in the car by accident  

Karen S Clermont County, Ohio (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:15 AM)

It's very easy for us all to pass judgement on this woman - it's a natural reaction to want closure to something so horrific. I live 4 miles from where this occurred.  Being the mother of a 2 year old daughter, I have shed many tears and have struggled with this story every day since it happened on the 23rd. Nothing we say or any punishment that is bestowed upon Brenda, legal, social or otherwise,  can bring Cecilia back and God knows that Brenda Slaby is already serving a LIFE SENTENCE.

BKipling Clermont County, Ohio (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:20 AM)

There should be no question about her punishment.  At the very least she should volunteer to lobby for a child safety reform to alert a person who is leaving a child in the car unattended.  On the tape I saw a mother in distress but I also saw a mother making excuses for herself saying "I am so busy-I have so much to do" or something to that effect.  Over 341 children a year dying in this way means we as a society are not making people pay for their mistakes so others don't learn from their mistakes.  This problem will continue until we make everybody accountable.  If nothing else let the person responsible sit in the locked car until they pass out so they will understand what misery and terror the child must have felt.  Children and animals depend on parents and owners to take care of them.  This is not something that should be treated so lightly.  

Nancy McMeekin (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:23 AM)

I am abhored at how other mothers can be so very hateful to this obviously tormented and grief-stricken mother.  I could not even read through all the responses because of the anger I began to feel when reading what others were saying about this terrible accident.  This is something that could happen to anyone.  I personally know someone who has experienced this tragedy, and I can attest to the fact that going through this was pure torture enough.  When people get out of their routines, accidents can happen; and yes, we all must be diligent in watching over our children; however, to wish additional punishment on a caring mother who has gone through and will have to forever endure such heartache beyond anything we can personally imagine obviously has no empathy.  It's one thing to purposefully neglect and abuse children, something I have absolutely NO tolerance for, but to put this situation in the same category is wrong.  Only those who have had to endure such tragedy or have gone through this with someone close to them can truly understand the nature of the situation and all that goes with it.  To place judgment otherwise is inexcusable.  My heart goes out to this mother as she and her family grieve the loss of their precious child.  And I pray that we have compassion on those who endure such heartaches before we immediately judge those we do not know or understand.

Holly, Lubbock, TX (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:28 AM)

The mother should be prosecuted.  She is heard on the tape saying "Trying to do everything for everybody.'  Apparently not the child she killed by neglecting to do for her.  When you become a parent your primary responsibility is the safety and care of your child, not your job.  Perhaps if she checked on her daughter at the daycare place during the day she would have realized her error.

K. Lemann, Wash. DC (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:31 AM)

It makes me sick to see the so called mother crying on TV so people feel sorry for her. Why don't they tell in agonizing detail about her little girl's suffering in a car that she left her in on purpose. Any person on this earth that can forget that they have children with them, especially over dougnuts, should be locked up forever. I am a very busy mother of 4 with a full time job and I could never forget one of my children anywhere! If she was any kind of a mother she wouldn't have killed her child in such a cruel way and the fact that this cruel act is called tragic shows how sick our society has become. It is tragic what happened to the little girl but the mom is a disgusting murderer that should be shown no mercy.

Teresa N Lime Springs IA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:36 AM)

I am a active duty Navy mother. My husband was deployed to Iraq and I was pulling 12-hour shifts in order to support the wounded troops returning to the states. My daughter was less than a year old during the most stressful times in my life. I just don't understand how stressful or busy a person can be...that would allow such a tragic incident!

Angela, San Diego, Ca (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:38 AM)

Everyone is ready to judge other people.  I've read that people are saying they would never leave a child in a car.  Do you not think that she would probably be saying the same thing or possible has said the same thing about instances such as this. I'm not here to say she should or should not be punished by the courts.  However, we have all done/said things in our life that may or may not be right.  All I'm saying is don't be so quick to judge others because unless your "backyard" is free of stones then you should not be judging others.  She has to live with this the rest of her life and has to meet face to face with her maker at the end of her life and God is the final one to judge us all!!!

Beth, Kokomo, Indiana (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:39 AM)

They send Micheal Vick to jail over some dogs wich is still apart of God's creations but this women kills her child and news media wants use to feel sorry for her. telling use this is sad ,she want go to jail, well  they need let all those other people out who left their kids in cars and she is going back to work Monday  

lb ,Cleveland,TX (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:39 AM)

Your coverage of this story, while professional, left unmentioned several technical options that already exist to minimize or eliminate the problem. See, for example, http://www.babyalert.info/home.php for a system that links to a car key-based alarm system if a child is in a carseat and the driver moves more than 10 feet from the vehicle. It's fine to pluck the heartstrings of viewers about the inadvertent death of a child, but your coverage should then show viewers existing ways to avoid the problem. Failure to do so leaves your story only half told with this viewer wondering about the competence of the story's writer.

Lindsay Audin, Croton, NY (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:41 AM)

I feel really bad, but there's something about the mom's affect that just doesn't seem right. The reporter said "this interview is hard to watch". I didn't think so, in fact, that's what made me more curious. I'm a mom of three children. You'd have to scrape me off the ground if one of my children died. What I'd like to know is if it's possible that the child may have been given something to make her sleep. Did anyone hear the child cry or scream?

Beth F. Brewster, NY (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:41 AM)

I am furious to know that prosecutors are not considering filing, at least, child endangering charges against this mom.  I don't know if you all know that this is NOT the first time that this mom has left her baby in the car alone. School officials from her oldest daughter's school warned her of leaving the child in the car alone and they even posted notes around the school! This may have happened many times, unfortunately the child died this time...it's sad and it makes me sick!  Her neighbor has the nerve to say "show her some compassion..."  How can you show compassion for someone who didn't heed the first warning of NOT LEAVING YOUR CHILD IN THE CAR? I don't care how busy or hectic your life can be...you never forget about your child or children!! Throughout the entire day wouldn't you think "hmm I wonder what Cecilia's doing?". I'm always thinking about my child and wondering what and how he's doing. That's just me. My family comes before anything else! I won't ever forget that!

Tonya, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:42 AM)

I watched part of her police interrogation and I found it interesting that she never mentioned the child, only how she's a bad mother and how will she ever forgive herself.  We all hope we would never be in her position, but I would think I'd be more upset about the pain and suffering my own child went through, not how I'm going to forgive myself.  I have three grown children and I can honestly say, when they were young, my mind was constantly CONSUMED with them - where they were, what they were doing, etc.  I NEVER for one second forgot where they were.  I realize this woman has to live with what she did for the rest of her life, but she was most definitely negligent.  Even if she did forget the child was in the car, not for 8 HOURS!  At some point she would think back and realize she did not actually make it to the day care center.  I feel for her, but she was wrong.

Nancy H., Winnetka, CA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:42 AM)

I am not buying it... Watching the video (which wasn't anything like "tough to watch"), I kept noticing Mom's attention to the camera and the fact that there were no real tears... I am not saying she killed her daughter, intentionally, but there is *something* wrong here.  Perhaps authorities are swayed by her professional life and are unable to be objective here.  They don't even seem to notice that she isn't NEARLY as remorseful as she should be... more like a bad actress looking for forgiveness from others.

Sandi Graves, Greenfield, MA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:45 AM)

As a child care provider in Ohio I"m wondering about the babysitter.  If one of the children I was to watch did not show up I would be on the phone finding out where the child is!  We have a "missing child law"  I believe this should be mandatory for all child care providers.  It could have saved this child and many more, past and future.

Angie Bass Syracuse, OH (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:45 AM)

All of you who are sure that you would NEVER do something like that should be careful to say NEVER. She didn't mean to leave her child in the car. She made a mistake, which any of us could have made. You should think twice before judging.

Shelly, Columbia MO (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:46 AM)

As a mother you want to make sure your baby is priority, no matter how hectic, even if it means you got a get up a few hours earlier to make sure you keep it that way oh well. To forget to stop by the sitters? that is a red flag that this mother clearly needs an evaluation, and if she is fine, she needs to do time. This is a horrific death for the poor child.

Jeanette Guijarro, National City, Ca (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:46 AM)

I just watched the interview and it sickened me. I did not see any remorse from this woman. She is talking about herself and offering excuses. I think she should do life like any other child killer. Perhaps if tough sentences were handed out, parents would think twice when they put their innocent children in the back seat and "forget" about them. What do you think her child suffered? It's disgusting that people rationalize this behavior and get away with it!

Sue La Fleur, Reno,NV (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:47 AM)

What happened here is symptomatic of this world at large. And the mother said it herself:  "I'm trying to be everything to everybody."  Perhaps it's an illness perhaps a character flaw, but what is unbelievable to me is that the woman had EIGHT HOURS to think about her "mistake" and didn't go out, didn't think enough about her daughter during the day to realize her mistake, no one to say anything that would trigger her memory.  It's become de rigeur today that people don't listen when you talk, try to do ten things at once, and separate from their significant others in record numbers - all, at least in part, due to others thinking their not important enough to warrant more attention in their relationships.  That certainly goes for this poor little soul who's mistake was trusting her mother.  The mother should do SOME time just because she needs to feel she's been punished to what she did.  Otherwise the guilt will go on unyielding for the rest of her life.

Stephen Farley (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:47 AM)

What a tragedy.....I don't think there's a punishment greater than the mother's sense of guilt which will be with her till her last breath.

Vicki K, Yuma, Az (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:47 AM)

How in the world can a principle of a school be more worried about doughnuts than leaving her child in the back seat of her car? This is as bad as accidently shooting someone and people and children get charged with this crime all the time. It is sad that this happened but there is no excuse. Maybe she should have left the doughnuts in the car!

Jim Oldenburg Palm Springs, California (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:49 AM)

My heart goes to this family. I my self have 3 wonderful girls. I am not saying that anything is ever more "Important" that our own children, but i have been here. I have forgotten one child in the house once, i was down the road and everything. And it wasn't because i didn't love her or that i delioberatley did it. It was an honest mistake she was sleeping and the other two were toddlers. You get in a routine and get a thousand things on your mind and it happened. I thank God everyday that nothing like this happened to me. I can guarentee that, If it were me i do beleive there should be some sort of punishment only cuz it would send the worng message and there would me many many copy cats. I beleive her guilt will eat her alive until her dying day. But, to say that she is unfit, or not capable.......... is just insane. Were judging a complete stranger here. What if it were your friend or sister or you for that matter? but, to say that she did it intentional is wrong. Who knows if she did or didn't but to put the blame on someone that you don't even know is not right eiter.

Penney USA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:50 AM)

No one can be that stupid or preoccupied..  I don;t
believe her story.  I am sorry, but if this is true
then she must be a rotten mother and very pretentious
when in public.  GOD sees the truth.  She should be
put in jail and lose the other child.  How can anyone
move their car and not notice the child in the back
seat.  Was it on the floor!  Don't buy this crap in
Virginia.  Ohio has a sick legislature.

john birckhead (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:50 AM)

I find it appalling that Ms. Slaby has not been charged.  She has previously been warned about leaving children unattended in the car by law enforcement.  She is the assistant principal of a school, a role model to set examples for others to follow.  Yet she is not charged.  Who protects the children in Ohio?  They cannot speak for themselves.  Why is the remaining child left to be abused and/or neglected by this irresponsible person?  Why is she continuing her employment as an assistant principal when she can’t take care of her own kids? She put on a good sobbing act for the cameras, but people who truly love and care for their children don’t forget them. Lock her up and throw away the key.

Mark A. Spears, Pine Grove, California (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:51 AM)

Forgetting seems to be an epidemic in this lifetime. We should figure out a way to help people remember not punish them because they forget. We should move forward and maybe someone could invent a sensor to realize there are still children and dogs in the vehicle.  There is absolutely no punishment we can give 90% of these people that would be worse than what they have to live with.  Thank God I only forget where I lay my car keys or to lock a door, I think people should show more compassion, we are all just people who are sharing this life together.

ESH Tempe, AZ (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:52 AM)

As much as I feel sorry for the mother who will no doubt live with unbearable guilt for the rest of her life, this case and those similar in nature begs the question; how do you not notice your child is in the back seat of a car?  Has our society become so over-scheduled and multi-tasked that a parent or parents can simply forget their children?   How very sad.

Sidra Coleman (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:52 AM)

I'm sorry to those of you who feel this women should be put behind bars for the death of her child.  I do not.  My heart goes out to her for the pain she is going through.  I always worry I will forget my son in the car, and I live in the desert.  He falls asleep fast once in the car.  Because of the deaths I read about of those children left in cars,  I am over cautious, which is a good thing.  This women is going through hell on earth, that is punishment enough.  If she can even ever forgive herself and go on, which she probably won't ever be able to do, that is punishment enough.  She didn't get in her car that morning and say "gee, I think I'll kill my daughter today".  Let her grieve without having the nation point fingers at her and label her a monster. May God help and protect her as she tries to go on with what life she has left.

Michele Maples, Ridgecrest, CA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:52 AM)

What would jesus do?  And this coming from someone who really doesn't even believe in one god.  I believe we are spirits, and there are spirits we can't see around us all the time.  But really, supposedly we are a religious nation, and all the folks tapping notes are probably christian, and many of them don't wonder what their own jesus would do.  
This woman will never recover from this loss.  Tragedy cannot just be dismissed, but the definition of crime includes intent.  Why wasn't Andrea Yates' husband charged with murder?  He intended to leave his mentally less than stable wife with kids at home alone, and intended to impregnate a woman who was already suffering from post partum and possibly other psychoses, yet he wasn't charged.  
We have to learn to understand that the natural consequences of some actions are enough, and that imposing more, phony, consequences on this mother for this lapse will serve no purpose.  Any mother, including myself, can tell you that seeing her go to prison or otherwise convicted as a criminal wouldn't make the tiniest bit of difference in the future actions of any parents.  None of us want a child to suffer this type of death, or personally to ever experience this type of brutal awakening, and no further punishment will help.  We all need to keep our children as our priorities.  In fact, even people without children need to keep the youth of this world on the top of the list of priorities.  Whether an individual procreates or not, our actions influence the children, and our future well being in our old age will be in the hands of today's children soon enough.
This sad mom should be embraced with the love and forgiveness anyone's god would provide.

Stephanie Demos, San Francisco CA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:52 AM)

I can't even put what I have to say in words. I sit here crying for that child. Yes, punish that mom. She is surrounded by children all day, how did she forget her own child? Did she leave the child in the car while she went in for donuts too? NEGLIGENCE!!!!!

CL Mason Pasadena MD (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:53 AM)

A little over a year ago I was driving to work one morning to the same job I'd held for 12 years, taking the same heavily-traveled route, running late because of car trouble, making mental notes about my busy day ahead, trying not to dwell on a family tragedy we were in the midst of... but more than a few times smiling to myself when I thought about our precious little grandson, just 3 months old and the absolute joy of our lives. So you'd think that somehow, before I parked my car in front of my office, got out and locked the doors I'd have remembered he was asleep in his carseat in the back seat.  But no, deep in thought I'd blown right by the exit to our church daycare and never gave it a thought.

Only by the grace of God, my story ended differently than Brenda Slaby's. Out of the corner of my eye, I DID see my grandson's carseat as I turned to check traffic before crossing the street, entering my office building and attacking the tedious, brain-sucking day ahead of me. Since I'm not a well to do, luxury SUV driving, highly educated, assistant principal, I guess all these self-righteous, vengeful souls who could never do anything so incredibly stupid can crucify me for nothing more than... well, being incredibly stupid.

Don't think I haven't been reduced to tears a thousand times by the "what-ifs" that still haunt me. And now I can add to those, with a sick, sick feeling gnawing at the pit of my stomach, the knowledge that I might have been splashed all over the national news with thousands screaming for my head on a platter, with no thought whatsoever to the devastation that would add to an already shattered family.

I understand people are upset - the horrible death of an innocent child is always upsetting - but where's all this outrage over the THOUSANDS of innocent children who die every year because their lazy, irresponsible parents didn't buckle their seatbelts or put them in carseats?

We're all only human, and as in the case of Brenda Slaby, sometimes tragically so. For those of you who just can't forgive her, God help you. And pray that you never commit an innocent, stupid mistake that just happens to carry such horribly, tragic consequences.

S. Hartzog (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:55 AM)

The mother is guilty and should serve a prison term because there are too many parents who cannot or do not take care of their kids and would find this an easy way out.  We have to set an example.

Ann Thelin, Las Vegas Nv (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:56 AM)

this story is so sad, I am upset with the prosecutor for not pressing charges. I understand this woman has to live with this the rest of her life, but what about mothers that suffer from post pardum and kill their kids they have the book thrown at them. These mothers are sick, they didn't have their schedule interupted. This MOM forgetting her child was in the car is just not acceptable!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not judging her by no means, I am a christian, I just feel that she is not being charged because of her social statis, obviously she has money. How is this not as bad as a parent shaking their baby, or any other type of ABUSE, or what about fathers that get behind on their child support, granted there are dead beats but not anymore than woman. These dads go to jail some even prison. this is so sicking that she has gotten away with murder. That is what this was. Does she also get to keep her 5 year old, what happens when she forgets to pick her up from school and this little girl gets killed by some other sicko because her schedule was interrupted. This is a pathetic excuse by this mother. I live in Colorado and was on vacation and forgot to pay my last 20.00 on a speeding ticket and they were putting me on a warrant list to be arrested, over $20.00, but this woman gets off with murder. I'm sorry but I am so upset with the justice system over this. I feel that mothers that kill their children because they are truely suffering from a devastating disease that they are treated differently than what they are.

Krista Thompson, Denver CO (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:56 AM)

I have never written NBC before.  This is a personal tragedy. I can't believe NBC chose to show the police interview with a grieving mother.  If Matt's wife left one of his children in a car would NBC choose to show a tape of her being interviewed? Where is your compassion and who is making these decisions?  They should ask themselves if they would make the same decision if it happened to someone they knew.  

Kevin, San Francisco, CA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:57 AM)

I am so furious that about this situation. Let's see I have had the unfortunate experience of being a victim of the system. I had someone who got mad at me and called family service hotline and told them a horrific story about things that were allegedly happening to my son. Being the good institution we have they investigated and went overboard on the sitation and ruined my life over a false statement. The case was eventually dropped due to finding out it was false. But let me tell you it was hell getting to that.Then you have people who are careless people who do not get punished. WOW what a good system. She also works with children. She deserves to loose her job and go to jail for failure to act in a responsible manner. And she is supposed to be responsible with other peoples children? I would pull my child out of that school. She should pay for what she did. Her child is dying is NOT enough punishment for her to endure when she was careless. She deserves to do TIME for that crime that she committed. Plain and simple. She should definatly have her job taken from her as well. She was not responsible in her own life do not put other peoples children in her care EVER.

Jane Doe (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:57 AM)

The story lacks one important answer to the question,"did the child care provider try to call to find out why the baby wasn't dropped off?"  Had the mother been reached right away, maybe a trajedy could have been avoided.  It is not the fault of the care provider that the child died, but checking on why the child didn't show up when scheduled should be protocol for that facility.  

Maureen Banasky, Palos Verdes Estates, CA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:57 AM)

I completely agree with Laura.  I'm sorry, but leaving a child for 8 hours?!  8 HOURS?!?!  Come on.  I have a dog that always rides with me in the back of my car.  I'd never ever FORGET he's in the back no matter how busy I am.  If I ever leave him there that's when I CHOOSE to leave him.  And, leaving him in a car in the sun with windows closed for 8 hours?  Only if I INTENTIONALLY wanted to KILL him.

Please, this woman knew exactly what she was doing when she left the poor little girl in her car.    

Kimmy Kos (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:57 AM)

My question is HOW DO YOU FORGET ABOUT YOUR CHILD??? When she got things out of the back of her car you would think she would have thought about her child. It was said that she has done this kind of thing before and i think that something should be done about it ,because it wrong to just let her walk. If she is going to walk with no charges then why is ok for all the other mothers that are doing jail time for the same thing. They did not get to walk scott free and nither should she. She harmed her own baby and yes i'm sure that she in her own HELL right now but she killed her own baby because she was in such a hurry to get to work. IT'S VERY SAD.I'm a mother and i don't care how big of a hurry i'm in i know that my baby is in the car and that he comes first no matter what.

Natasha, Colorado (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:58 AM)

I sympathize with the mother and the family.  However, I understand this was not the first time she had left the 2 year old unattended in the vehicle.  She received a warning previously about doing that. We all know that we should not leave children unattended in a vehicle - the results can be tragic. I cannot imagine the grief and guilt she must be dealing with now.  

Brenda Short, McConnelsville, Ohio (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:59 AM)

In some states it is criminal (child endangerment) to drive with a minor passenger not buckeled up properly; child abuse is criminal as well and so should neglect resulting in harm or death be criminal. Any parent who ignores the welfare of their child to the extreme of physical harm should be prosecuted.  None of her other duties were more important than her duty to a vulnerable child.  Elderly and animal abuse/neglect are criminal so why not in the case of a parent who was too busy for 8 hours to think of the welfare of her child.  This woman should NOT be allowed to be responsible for any of her children or children of others.  She should get a felony conviction; do major prison time or face the death penalty. Her REMORSE is too little too late.

LINDA LANDRY (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 10:59 AM)

I am a full time working mother of 4 boys, ages 15, 12, 5 and 3. I have never "forgotten" to get any of them out of the car. I didn't know that forgetting was an acceptable excuse. In an 8 hour day, she never once had a passing thought about that child?? Mine cross my mind all day long when I am at work, at home or wherever I may be. It's hard to be sympathetic when you find out that this isn't the first time she has left that baby in the car alone. I have heard people try to defend those times as "it was only for minutes not hours." but NO child at ANY time should be left alone in a car for any amount of time for any reason. I don't care how old they are.
What a horrible way for that child to die and how can you live with yourself knowing that that baby was probably crying for her mother to help her.

Jerri Erlanger KY (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 11:00 AM)

There was a case like this in Phx, az where a lady left her child in the car and she had face charges.
Why should this woman get away with this? What makes her any different then the rest of us? I am a parent of a 2 yr old boy does that make it ok for me too?
I sorry but my husband and I are very busy people too but you do not see me leaving my child in a car for 8 hours or even for a minute sleeping or not.
I think that this woman is a have good actor and she must face the consquances of her actions.  

stacy adair, scottsdale,az (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 11:00 AM)

I have to agree with one writer who wrote" everyone I know who's backing up a car has to turn around and look behind them". I don't understand how you could miss that little baby. This is her second time. Our children look to us for protection. There was no way for this little baby ot get out of her carseat, open a window, door, call for help, or anything. And if you noticed on the video, she parked in a location where if someone did pass by no one would see her in the back seat. Why would you change your schedule on this particular day? This child paid the ultimate price for a box of donuts. We treat animals better than children, don't get me wrong an animal is a life form also, but the courts will convict a person faster for leaving an animal in a car and not a child. There's no way to describe how I feel about this. The mother's on television talking about what a bad parent I am and not once did she greive for her baby. This is sending messages to parents who are doing this to say oh we understand it was just a mistake. They should be punished and punishment they will be. God has brought His little angel home and she will suffer no more, and suffer she did at the hands of her own mother. Foregive me if I sound judgemental, but this is just the way I feel. I pray for the other child and family members.

Patricia Yard, Norfolk, Virginia (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 11:01 AM)

HELLO EVERYONE IN HERE SHE MAKES DECISIONS WITH OTHER PEOPLES CHILDREN.........I DONT THINK THAT IS APPROPRIATE GIVEN SHE DID NOT CARE FOR HER OWN IN A REPSONSIBLE MANNER........SHE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO WORK WITH KIDS......FORGET THE DONT JUDGE STUFF. WOULD YOU PUT YOUR KIDS IN HER CARE?????

LELA LAS VEGAS (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 11:04 AM)

We can blame, shame, pity this mother all we want. None of that will bring back this child. We could ask what could be done to make this kind of error less deadly. A sensor in the car seat, call from the child care provider, making cars smaller so we don't use back-up cameras and other technology that tends to disconnect us from the realities surrounding us, should be considered. But the only real and tangible changes each of us can make is in our own life. I agree with never saying it could never happen to me. Let's make the effort to help each other with tips, idea sharing, and helping each other remember to check the back seat. I feel she should have been charged with neglect. But I can understand that she will be sentancing herself forever as well.

Sandra Walters, Concord, CA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 11:05 AM)

I live in Ohio and just the other day, the newspapers printed that video cameras caught the mom going back to her 5 times that day and at one point even getting in the car and moving it to another location.  I'm a single mother of two kids and I work two jobs, coach my kids little league teams, etc.  I have NEVER forgotten my children anywhere.  There is no excuse.

Debbie Godfrey, Mentor, Oho (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 11:05 AM)



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