Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Laura McAloney — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 12:53:48 GMT

I have never ever written to a show before but this subject makes me FURIOUS!! There is NO MISTAKE! She KILLED her child and deserves to go to JAIL FOREVER! I am a mom of 2 yr old twins and a boy who is 10 weeks away from the world. I have NEVER EVER simply forgotten that my children were in the car..She deserves to go through the same pain and suffering that her poor daughter went through. Whenever I hear this I get so mad! If she died in a car crash with no fault of her own, then that is a tragedy. Someone who is so careless to leave their own child in a car is a disgrace to mother hood and just makes me want to scream. I work full time, go to school, am 37 yrs old, and take care of my husband and kids. My life is more than hectic and yet, I can assure you one thing for sure..I would NEVER EVER leave my kids in a car and just forget about them. when this disgrace of a woman got out of her car, she didn't glance in the back seat? Yeah ok? SHe is a murderer and deserves to go to jail! I will pray everynight that the state reconsider this. TAKE HER OTHER CHILD AWAY BEFORE SHE ENDS UP DEAD TO! PUT HER IN JAIL WHERE SHE BELONGS!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Vicki Bailey, Evansville, Indiana — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 12:57:12 GMT

This mom should go to prison for a very long time. Eight hours is no accident. Her child should have more important than doughnuts for co-workers.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Scott Smith Austin Texas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 12:57:48 GMT

This story is very sad. My feeelings on this is of anger and sadness. For I cantnot place blame on someone I dont know. Life is for most the dayily grind with to many distractions.The average person has an amount of stress to deal with each day of the week no matter how insunificant. with stress comes with concquinces.And this is but a very sad glaring example ,Of life as we know it.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Rene E., Pekin, IL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:06:37 GMT

I tried to vote on the other page, but it would not allow me. It's ok, because I didnt really want to vote as much as to say that my heart just breaks for this mom. As a mother of two, I remember a very hectic schedule when they were young and I could have easily put myself in her shoes. Luckily, that never happened to me-THANK GOD! Actually, I also wanted to put out an idea to any technology genius out there who could come up with a device that parents could buy and place in their vehicle that could notify a parent on their cell phone if something like this would happen. Something that would be operated by battery, that you could program with one or more cell phone or land phone numbers to be called if the device picks up movement or sound in the car at high temperatures. With the technology we have today, someone needs to invent a device that would notify busy parents if this should happen and make it affordible for parents of young children who have to work more than they want to already. Again, my heart goes out to this mom and my prayers are with her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

kris lee mt, vernon ar. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:07:06 GMT

i know that she will never get over this ,but the child will never come back eather and she didn't ask to be there . if she didn't have time to remember her child in a car (less than 3ft. from her) than mabe she should'n have them.mabe a few years in jail will help her to slow down and not forget the other one.
i know this is harsh but it was bad for that baby. what a terable way to die

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jody, Mandan ND — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:10:46 GMT

I cannot understand how anyone could forget their child? To me this is impossible because you know you put that child in a carseat in your car there is nothing more important that should come before the welfare of your child. Using the excuse that you are too busy is too unbelievable for me. NOBODY is that busy, I don't care who you are. She should have been charged with something not just let go, yes she will remember this everyday of her life but there should be legal consequences also. Everytime I hear of this happening it sickens me that people could actually do this.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jim, Troy, Mi. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:11:18 GMT

I'm a 40 year old father of 2 children, 1 boy of 6 and 1 girl of 3. my initial feelings for this mother is heart felt grief. I can not think of anymore greater loss than that of a child. Just sitting here thinking of this while typing wells my eyes with tears. I can not imagine any situation that would not have me thinking of my kids first. Although my heart goes out to this woman, she should not go on without punishment. A lot of you may think that the loss of her child is punishment enough, but what message is this sending? I have trouble with my next thoughts for fear that it may plant a seed, but what about the individuals that may plan something like this? Can they shed a few tears and think they can get away with it? She needs to be held accountable for her gross negligence. Keep in mind that she is an assistant principal in a school with young children. If this happened to her own child should she really be in the position to watch over other children? I think not!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Christene Mason — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:13:34 GMT

I believe this mom should be punished, she didn't forget the donuts, did she? Everyone has a hectic life. I am 50 yrs young raising 3 grandsons, (6 yr old twin boys and a 3 yr old boy). do you think for a minute I could forget them? Heck no!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Maria Mullins Cincinnati Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:14:14 GMT

Matt, I am a day care provider and I would never forget a child in a car let a lone a hot car. My comment is. The same week Brenda Slaby left her child in the car a woman that worked 60 hours a week to take care of her family had a sick dog die in her yeard that someone else put there and Hamilton county courts put her in jail. I can't understand way she was not charged with child endangerment.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kathi Farkas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:19:11 GMT

Every working mother has multiple tasks on their daily "to do" lists. I have a hard time wondering how a stop for donuts made the cut, that day, however, the baby, asleep in the "Mercedes" SUV, somehow missed that cut and died. It is the ultimate negligience. I can't imagine or know the suffocating death that child went through. I realize it wasn't intentional, on the mother's part, but she should be made to pay some consequences, other than she lives with this the rest of her life. How sad.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sheila Rubio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:21:41 GMT

I believe that there should be sensors put into the carseat that is linked to the ignition so that when the ignition is turned off, an alarm will go off if there is weight over a pound in the car seat. There is already a sensor that tells if someone in the front seat is under 100lb and the airbag will shut off. Engineers must do something. Everybody is multitasking and it is so sad that we are forgetting our most precious gifts, our children.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

K. Lengle, Prairie Village, Ks. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:21:41 GMT

I think the mom should be charged, but not serve time in jail. It was a mistake, but it was also negligent. She should at the least have some fines and community service. I'm shocked that she's returning to work. As a parent I would not want her in charge of my child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Leslie Johnson, Nashville, TN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:23:20 GMT

"The Today Show" said she is planning on going back to work...as an assistant principal at a school??? The same woman who "couldn't remember"? her own child in her SUV that lead to death??? If the state is going to refuse to prosecute, why would a school allow her to go back to work with children? Hasn't she proven without a shadow of a doubt that she can not be trusted with the responsibility of child care? What would it take to be relieved of her duties as a principal since it is not a crime to leave a 2-year-old baby in 100+ degree vehicle?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lerena Hascod, Bronx, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:23:48 GMT

This is really sad. I don't want to say "I never would" but I just cannot imagine ever being this busy. I pray I never find out. I just wonder, if her car had been an old beatup car instead of a Mercedes and if her job would have been the janitor instead of the assistant principal, would the legal outcome be any different?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Elaine Stevens, Eagan, MN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:23:55 GMT

Are you kidding me?! This woman wasn't charged? On the video she spoke about trying to "be everything to everybody". Isn't that the definition of a working mom? C'mon!! We are all overextended emotionally, burning the candle at both ends trying to work and take care of our families. However, the majority of us manage NOT to leave our children in a hot car in the middle of summer, resulting in their death!! This woman clearly needs some professional help. So far, to my knowledge, know one has left their child in a hot car as long as she has. Yet, this summer, so many parents have been in the news for the same situation, with little or no consequence. Shouldn't an example be made of her?Obviously, some parents need to be reminded that your children are your first priority. Leaving little ones in a scorching hot car, defenseless and suffocating is definitely NEGLECT... and in this case MURDER.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Alexis, Winston Salem, NC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:23:59 GMT

Who are we to judge someone that we don't even know? How awful this situation is. At 7 months old, my mother left me in my crib while she went to work, only to have my daycare provider call her 3 hours later wondering where I was. It was a mistake, and she never intended any harm. We were just lucky that nothing happened. Think about all of the times as a motorist we have barely missed an accident. Looking down at the radio, our children, cell phone, etc. We all have lapses in judement and memory. Step into this mothers shoes for just a minute. Not only her family, but her community and the entire nation is seeing this played out on television while she is obviously grief-stricken and an emotional wreck. I'm positive that this will continue for the rest of her life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lydia Parker — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:25:11 GMT

Does this woman have psychological problems, adult ADD or just easily distracted and focused on the donuts as opposed to taking care of her daughter? I feel so badly for the innocent victim of this tragic incident. This mother had left her child in the car, unattended, before and HAD been warned of this irresponsible behavior. When Ms. Slaby was taking out the donuts from the back of her vehicle, did she not see the top of the child seat and it click in her brain that she still had her child in the car? I know how hectic it can be for multi-tasking mothers, BUT shouldn't our children and their welfare take priority over everything else? This is happening TOO often. These innocent children depend on their parents to meet their needs and protect them. Ms. Slaby, as emotionally devastated as she may be, should be held accountable for her negligence.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Crystal Ritter Panama City,Fl. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:25:48 GMT

This is for the mother who's child died and I'm so sorry for her but from the survielence camera she opened her back door and grabbed the donuts didn't she even see or think to look up and see her child from behind and even when she put the donuts in the back????? Ask her that but should she go to jail ? NO!!!Accidents happen nobodys perfect and I myself at 20 yers old have memory problems because I often 4 get alot and fast. I have a 3 year old son but I wouldn't ever 4 get him in the car. My mother lost her 1st born and my sister was 17 and it was tough on my mom so my thoughts and prayers go out to her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lauraine Buehler, Katy, TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:26:48 GMT

This story is heart breaking. This mothers pain, loss, and guilt will be with her forever. No punishment will exceed what she'll living with 24/7.
Undoubtably however, you will get the protestors who will want "justice".

Those who can relate to such a busy, hectic pace in their own lives should learn from this tragedy. Life and family are a rare and precious gift. The big house, fancy car and "things" are just that...THINGS!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michael Conner — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:29:27 GMT

I noticed on tv that she was driving a new Mercedes suv.I wonder, if of the half of the 340 cases that were prosecuted,were welfare mothers who didn't have a dime,and no lawyer,[court appointed doesn't count]were they the unfortunate ones.Someone should do some investigative reporting on these numbers.8hrs?How can you be that big of a blond?Of course,its not my job to judge her actions.That was someone elses.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Debby Gillespie — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:29:48 GMT

Never judge someone until you have walked in their shoes. Two years ago my 9 year old niece was killed in an accident caused by poor judgement on the part of her father. There were no criminal charges. At the time of the accident, I wanted nothing more than to see him go to jail because of what he had done...he was responsible for the loss of a precious life and our family is still in shock. However, I can say WITH CERTAINTY, that no amount of legal punishment could match the hell he must live every day. It would serve no purpose to anyone for Ms. Nesselroad-Slaby to be prosecuted and perhaps serve jail time. No one should think for a minute that she is "getting away" with anything. This tragedy will haunt her for the rest of her life. When she walks down the street, the eyes of the rest of the world will be on her...she will be punished everyday. Would it make US feel better for the responsible parties to be punished...yes. Would it bring our loved ones back...no. She must live with her actions and I can tell you, it won't be much of a life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Christine — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:30:14 GMT

My heart goes out to this woman. As strange as this sounds, I have had moments where I would check the back seat to make sure I had dropped my son off because I have that nagging fear in the back of my mind! It was worse when we had to veer off our normal schedule and skip day care due to illness. My family says I'm a worry wart but I always think "Better safe than sorry" But who could forget their child?? But our daily routines are such routine, the norm is second nature. Between single parenting, full time job, and attending college ... not to mention activities and classes planned with my son.....our life is VERY hectic. I haven't done it thank god but it's always a strange thought in back of my mind along with those millions of other nagging fears that come with parenting. And apparently it COULD happen. That woman has to live with this FOREVER. That's the worst punishment imaginable. Jail is for people who are a threat to society. This woman will have her own hell. That's MORE than society can dish out to her. (and another point: toss her in a cell so society can SUPPORT her? People are quick to want to put people behind bars not considering the fact that taxpayers pay for them to inhabit that lil cell) She has to face the world as the lady who left her child in the car because she was distracted by donuts. If in a cell, she would be forgotten about in our fast paced world by next week. Instead, she must face the shame and hell daily.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tonya McDougall, Bay City, Michigan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:31:13 GMT

This women should be prosecuted, she negligently caused the torturous death of her child, whether willfully or not, she stilled caused it. Being busy does not excuse this.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Carol Smith, Brecksville OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:32:28 GMT

In the police video that you showed, this woman never once mentioned her child. She only talked about herself. No one forgets they have a child in the car, especially a two year old. She had no problem remembering the donuts. I don't believe this was an accident.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Christine — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:33:40 GMT

one more strange thought.....If I would have failed to show up at my sitter's or even daycare my son is now in, I would have received a call within an hour. Not saying it's their fault by any means, it's just an odd thought I had.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Brad Simpson — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:34:22 GMT

This is reference to the AP statistics referenced in this story. According to those statistics mothers are punished more severe then fathers when it comes to this type of tragedy.

According to the Missouri Bar Association's web site mothers are awarded custody in approximately 92% of divorces in Missouri, I reside in the St. Louis area. This happens even when the father is a stay at home dad.

It seems the justice system, as it pertains to family court issues, considers the mother to be the more responsible of the two parents. With this in mind it would seem that mothers are held to a higher standard then fathers. It would then stand to reason that mothers should be punished more severe when they neglect a child, either accidentally or purposely.

Does this make it right? Absolutely not! But if you are going to even the playing field by imposing the same punishment for both sexes then you should do it across the board, in all venues of law.

Yes, I am a divorced dad of two, now remarried with another child with my wife. During my divorce hearing when I asked the judge how he expected me to be a responsible father because he used my overtime pay from working Saturdays during my divorce in the computations of my child support obligation. Thereby madating me to work during the times I had visitation with my children. His response was "The only responsibilty you have to your children is to provide financial support." So much for being a father, seems I am only a financial resource. Using his defintion of responsibilty, why would I be held to the same standards of accountibility as their mother.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

D Pearce — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:34:25 GMT

While backing up to drop off the donuts, wouldn't she have seen her child in the back seat?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tanya , BR, LA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:35:06 GMT

It is not an accident that occurred, it was negligence. Changing your routine to get donuts is no excuse to not make sure you have your child at the sitter's. Did she even speak with the babysitter after she neglected to bring the child there? I have 3 kids and never have I forgotten them while traveling. They are first and foremost on my mind when I start the day. It is not that difficult to pay attention to the well being of your children.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Bill Gower, Auburn, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:35:52 GMT

I am tired of hearing about people being "too distracted" to remember their kids. Yeah, as a parent, part of me does feel for this woman, however I don't feel she should evade proscecution. She didn't forget the doughnuts in the back of the car, and apparently she didn't miss any of the apparetly more important meetings she had. Perhaps she should have put an entry into her PDA to remind her not to forget to take her kid out of the car. Sorry, but "I am so busy" is not an excuse. I think it's time that people reevaluate what is important, and should be the very first thing on their "to-do" list.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dianne in SC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:37:46 GMT

Shame on all the mothers who are out for this poor woman's blood. Anger and punishment are not the answers here. This could happen to anybody with a busy life and a busy schedule. The fault lies in the fact that we moved the child car seats from the front to the back. There has been a big increase in these tragic deaths since that took place, and we need to re-think this. Maybe they were better in the front seat after all.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kaye, Rocky Hill, CT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:41:22 GMT

Because of airbags, children must be placed in the backseat of the car. My children were not the type to fall asleep immediately in a car, but many are. Combine a busy mind with a quiet child that is safely tucked away in the back seat, and I can see how even a loving parent could forget their child. It seems that these deaths happen most often when there is a break in routine....a change in who is transporting the child, an unusual stop, a change in route, etc. Unfortunately, it can take only a few minutes to do irrepairable harm. If we discount these events as something that could never happen to "good parents" instead of focusing on ways to avoid them, more infants will die.

The following are some safety tips I found on-line to help avoid such tragedies.

1)Put something you'll need like your cell phone, handbag, lunch or briefcase on the floor in the back seat.

2)Get in the habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your destination.

3)Ask your child's day care center or babysitter to phone you if your child doesn't show up when expected. Many children's lives could have been saved by a telephone call. Give childcare providers all phone numbers, including those of family members or friends.

4)If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately.

5)Keep a large teddy bear in the child's car seat when it's not occupied. When the child is placed in the seat, put the teddy bear in the front passenger seat.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

KIM GEHLHAUSEN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:41:42 GMT

Our justice system needs to wake up and put a law into effect dealing with the horrendous problem of children being left alone in vehicles. I always question if these cases are forgetfulness or an underlying true wish that life will be easier and less costly without this child to care for. If all states implemented a law that would send a clear message to these forgetful parents, family, or caretakers that let them know punishment will be forthcoming for the cruel death of one of these little ones. it would cut the numbers way down. This mother had already been confronted about leaving her child unattended at her other daughter's daycare. She should not walk free from this. If no jail time then community outreach concerning this matter should be given to her. She is in a profession where she has other children in her care. Is she really competent or will a child in need be forgotten because she is too stressed?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joy Washburn EdD, RN-C, Grand Rapids, Michigan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:43:18 GMT

What was the point of showing the video of police questioning the mom who left her two year old in car? I can think of none other than voyeuristic intention - the woman's utter grief and pain did NOT need to splashed around the world for all to see. Frankly, none of us needed to see it!!! Should the story of the child's death have been told - absolutely, if only as a cautionary tale to all the rest of us busy parents. I implore the TODAY Show producers to be a little more sensitive to the needs of human beings in the stories. To the viewing public, I would encourage each person to put themselves in this woman's shoes (develop a bit of empathy) because we know not what other circumstances influenced or affected this situation. The sad reality is that each and every one of us can make mistakes, some of which may result in tragic outcomes. We make mistakes because we are human and human beings are not perfect.
I grieve for the death of this child, but I also grieve for the mother who will have to live with her guilt and grief for the rest of her life. A psychosomatic trauma such as this is likely to have an adverse effect on her emotional and physical health. I only hope that she is directed to seek counseling as soon as possible.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Faye Doe — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:43:26 GMT

I only caught the end of the story. Most important: What can parents do to prevent this? Put your purse or briefcase next to the car seat.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kim Vipperman Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:47:15 GMT

I am 36 yrs. old and a stay-at-home mother of 4. I have a very hectic life and can definitely understand how something like this can happen. There have been times when I have went shopping and honestly will be driving down the road with a million things going through my mind and will suddenly jerk my head around and take a head count to make sure I have put everyone of my 4 children in the car. Trying to remember if they were all even with me that particular day. Life is hectic and gets crazy day to day, things happen that we can't explain, and that's part of life. This woman has to live with this for the rest of her life, what more punishment could they give her that could possibly hurt her anymore. She has lost her child due to her own mistake. I know if it were me, I would hope that they would kill me, but making her live the rest of her life with this on her mind day in and day out is something that I personally would never want to have to do. Take a deep breath, and think, this COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE. She was just the unfortunate one that day. My prayers are with her and her family.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Darlene Ortega, Providence RI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:47:34 GMT

I am a single mother of three who works full time and goes to school full time and in all the times that I've been stressed and overwelmed, my children have always come first! This was a criminal act of negligence against an innocent child that should not be taken lightly! I am very angry that this matter is being dismissed as an accidental death! I think a investigation should take place and her other child should be taken into protective custody immediately before something happens as a result of the mothers carelessness!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Pamela Hallam, Mt Blanchard, Oh. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:48:40 GMT

This is a tragic example of unequal enforcement of the laws of our state whereby a "high functioning" person with position and status in a community is exempt from the criminal laws of negligence and child endangerment. "Intent" is the determinative factor when deciding if a person should be prosecuted after committing a crime. Let us remember that this Mother had been reported to authorities for neglect prior to the incident which took the life of her child. She owed a "duty of care" to her child and she breached that duty of care by "forgetting" that her child was left in the back seat of her car for 8 hours on a hot day. Who in the world wants "donuts" on a "hot day" anyway? Of course accidents happen and her "intent" was that her child not die. But her child did die and now who is going to represent the rights of her deceased child - didn't she have the right to live? No one is that "high functioning" or such a "nice person" that they should be exempt from punishment. It is ludicrous to think that she will be exempt from any criminal or civil punishment whatsoever. Realizing that she will live with what she did for the rest of her life does not seem to be punishment enough as no one should be exempt from the law. Even though the District Attorney has declined to prosecute, her living child should be removed from her home at this point in time and she should be asked to resign from her school administrative position. Only then will "equal" justice be served under our state laws.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Steve, Grand Junction,Colorado — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:49:01 GMT

I think she should go to jail only after being locked in a car for those 8 hrs her little girl was in that car. Make her stay buckled in her seat for that eight hours. Do it under controlled conditions like having heat forced on the car for 2 hours at a time and a 30 min break.

As a father who lost his child due to a birth defect there is nothing worse than a person who on purpose or through stupidity hurts or kills their child

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jeremy Carr, Minneapolis MN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:49:47 GMT

The thing that I noticed and no one else has seemed to, is that in the video footage she is backing her car up to the building. I, and everyone I know, turn around in our seat when we are backing up. The means that the entire backseat would have been visible at that time. Even if the child was directly behind the driver's seat, she would have been visible in the mother's peripheral vision. How did this get past the DA? Based on this, it seems obvious to me that she knew the child was in the car. Her explanation that she forgot doesn't hold up once you get past emotion and scrutinize the evidence.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

ej Lucas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:49:56 GMT

Absolutely no excuse for leaving a child in the car. If a mother/father/grandparent/childcare, etc. is so busy that they cannot remember leaving a child in the car for any length of time, it's time to start thinking about your priorities. Picking up donuts for co-workers isn't a prioriy! Yes, she will live with this for the rest of her life. Perhaps this tragedy will alert others who care for children. Children should never be left alone in a car for any reason. Prayers go out to the mother and the rest of the family.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tracey Reed — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:51:34 GMT

Yes, it is a very sad situation. When I heard of children dying at the hands of their own parents neglect, I was very angry. I said very harsh things about some of these parents. As for this poor women, it was an accident! She did not intentionaly leave her child in a hot car to die. There have been some parents who knowingly left their child(ren) in their car so they could go to strip clubs or bars. Now these are the parents who should be punished. This woman has to live with this the rest of her life. And one comment to Laura McAloney who said you pray that this woman goes to jail. Well shouldn't you be praying for this woman and what her and her family is going through? God is the one to judge us, and some day she will met our maker. Just as someday you will too. Oh but from what you have said you are perfect and make no mistakes. Sorry than you'll have no problems with God when you get there. Good Luck!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Xavier Avila, San Antonio, TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:52:27 GMT

Unforgivable. I also have never written in before but this was so upsetting that she could simply forget her child, and she is a vice principle at a middle school. Both my wife and I have hectic scheadules, but our son takes presidence. I often wonder about these things when I hear of laws protecting pets from being left in hot vehicles but nothing to protect children is appawling. As a parent I feel for her loss but find it inexcusable for the manner in which it happened.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Heidi Schatz, Knoxville,TN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:52:49 GMT

How many times are we going to hear about this happening? My heart goes out to this mother as I am a mother myself. This needs to be a LOUD and FINAL wake up call to all of us to slow down and pay attention to what we are doing. Over-worked and tired parents who are fogetting what is truely most important....our children.I do not think in this case that this mom should go to jail. She already has been sentenced to life by her conscience and what good would it do take her from her other child? Many of these accidents must be looked at on a case by case basis. Why are so many so quick to judge this poor mom who made a HUGE mistake, who is NOT a heartless criminal and throw her in jail, when drunk drivers go free everyday, and child preditors always seem to attack more than once? May God be with this mother as it could have been so many of us.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Doug Hager, Lanexa Va 23089--(757-566-0017) — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:52:54 GMT

Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby reckless disregard for child's well being.

Definition

Child neglect, also called psychological abuse, is a form of child abuse. It occurs when someone intentionally does not provide the child of the necessities of life, or do so with reckless disregard for the child's well being. Such necessities include food and water for healthy growth; shelter; clothing; and medical care. They child may also lack a safe environment, and adult emotional support. This set of necessities contributes to proper child development.

Leaving a child strapped in a car 8 hours. no food or water, will not provide the necessities for healthy growth.

Add to that the tempt. was 100% or better is not a safe environment.

Child

1 a : an unborn or recently born person

2 a : a young person especially between infancy and youth

NEGLECT:

1 : to give little attention or respect to

2 : to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness

Manslaughter
1. Law. the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought.

2. The killing of a human being by another; homicide.

3. The unlawful killing of one human by another without express or implied intent to do injury.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

SUSAN SCHENKEL, MARIETTA OHIO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:56:14 GMT

MY THOUGHTS RUN FROM ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM TO THE OTHER AS TO THE MOST JUST PUNISHMENT FOR THIS TRAGEDY. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL INVOLVED - AND YES IT IS A TRAGEDY.
MY COMMENT TO A PREVIOUS WRITER THAT SAYS SHE WOULD NEVER FORGET HER CHILD - ONE SHOULD NEVER SAY "NEVER". HER LIFE SOUNDS AS HECTIC AS MRS SLABY'S. I BELIEVE ONE LESSON TO LEARN FROM THIS MIGHT BE FOR ALL OF US TO ASSESS WHAT'S TRULY IMPORTANT IN OUR LIVES.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Susan Biedrzycki, Wesley Chapel, Florida — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:57:08 GMT

I feel very sorry for the entire family and their loss. In my 58 years of life on this earth I have learned that you should not judge someone unless you have been there yourself; and actually who are we to place judgement on anyone. I do not think that this mother should be legally prosecuted. She will suffer enough pain during her lifetime for this tragic accident. I have based my opinion on what I have heard reported thus far. My thoughts and prayers are with this mother, family, and friends of this little girl; and may God watch over them.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

jc — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:58:34 GMT

I am so broken hearted over this story. I cannot imagine the pain that the woman is feeling but I can see how it could possibly happen to anyone. Not that there is an excuse for what she did, it was painfully irresponsible and negligent-but it was an honest accicent and horrible mistake. Women today are pushed to their limits with responsibilies of work and family and this poor child and family suffered the ultimate conseqence. May God be with her as she tries to cope with what she's done.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Diane Harms, Shell Rock, Iowa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:58:50 GMT

Obviously the people who think Brenda should go to jail have never lost a child. To lose a child is devastating enough, but to be the cause of it has to be horrendous. If I had been the cause of my child's death, I would never be able to function again.

She is suffering enough in a way most of us will never understand and will be punished for the rest of her life. What good would prison do?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sarah S, Whitman, Mass — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:59:48 GMT

As a new mom - my son is 9 mos old - I could not even FATHOM leaving forgetting my child in the car - for 5 minutes - let alone 8 HOURS - This is horrible - there's just no excuse for it - and, why didn't the babysitter call the woman to ask why she wasn't at daycare?! But, that's not the point - you just don't forget about your children - Her routine was changed because she had to pick up donuts? - come on - drop the baby off - get the donuts - goto work... makes sense right? I guess not for some. I feel terrible for this woman as she has to live with the guilt of killing her daughter - but, there's just no excuse.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Ann L Baton Rouge LA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:59:52 GMT

I think that we should never say never. I watched a friend of mine forget his baby in the backseat of his truck; I had to remind him that the child was there. This does not make him a bad father. To me this was a terrible mistake; one that she'll be paying for the rest of her life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kelli, Fort Smith, AR — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:02:08 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Katie, Pittsburgh, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:04:23 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Nancy Smith, Madison Wisconsin — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:06:20 GMT

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!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Laura , Killeen tx — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:13:46 GMT

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!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

M Horton, Chapel Hill, NC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:14:47 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Karen S Clermont County, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:15:07 GMT

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

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

BKipling Clermont County, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:20:04 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Nancy McMeekin — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:23:32 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Holly, Lubbock, TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:28:52 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

K. Lemann, Wash. DC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:31:11 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Teresa N Lime Springs IA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:36:59 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Angela, San Diego, Ca — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:38:41 GMT

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!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Beth, Kokomo, Indiana — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:39:21 GMT

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!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

lb ,Cleveland,TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:39:37 GMT

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

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lindsay Audin, Croton, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:41:37 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Beth F. Brewster, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:41:52 GMT

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?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tonya, Cincinnati, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:42:20 GMT

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!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Nancy H., Winnetka, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:42:59 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sandi Graves, Greenfield, MA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:45:17 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Angie Bass Syracuse, OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:45:30 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Shelly, Columbia MO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:46:02 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jeanette Guijarro, National City, Ca — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:46:53 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sue La Fleur, Reno,NV — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:47:03 GMT

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!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Stephen Farley — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:47:32 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Vicki K, Yuma, Az — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:47:47 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jim Oldenburg Palm Springs, California — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:49:57 GMT

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!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Penney USA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:50:31 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

john birckhead — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:50:46 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mark A. Spears, Pine Grove, California — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:51:31 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

ESH Tempe, AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:52:02 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sidra Coleman — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:52:07 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michele Maples, Ridgecrest, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:52:12 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Stephanie Demos, San Francisco CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:52:19 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

CL Mason Pasadena MD — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:53:41 GMT

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!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

S. Hartzog — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:55:51 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Ann Thelin, Las Vegas Nv — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:56:11 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Krista Thompson, Denver CO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:56:32 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kevin, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:57:04 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jane Doe — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:57:08 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Maureen Banasky, Palos Verdes Estates, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:57:23 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kimmy Kos — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:57:49 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Natasha, Colorado — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:58:33 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Brenda Short, McConnelsville, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:59:08 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

LINDA LANDRY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:59:36 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jerri Erlanger KY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:00:32 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

stacy adair, scottsdale,az — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:00:51 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Patricia Yard, Norfolk, Virginia — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:01:00 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

LELA LAS VEGAS — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:04:32 GMT

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?????

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sandra Walters, Concord, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:05:05 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Debbie Godfrey, Mentor, Oho — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:05:42 GMT

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.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Susie Williams — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:06:05 GMT

Brenda is innocent of killing her child - running at the present "speed of life", ANYONE could suffer the same tragic accident.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Wendy Hubbell, St. Louis, MO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:12:45 GMT

This happens quite a bit every summer and instead of the media spending days discussing whether or not she should be punished, how about showing ways to prevent it? I remember reading a few years back about how a father left his child in the car and was devastated when the child died. Advice given in the article was to always leave the diaper bag in the front seat. I always think back to that every time I hear that it happened again, wishing everyone had read the article. I think instead the media should spend time focusing on prevention instead of showing the mother's emotional police questioning. How about someone getting involved in passing a law that childcare centers call the parents if the child does not show up? Lets stop judging and start educating.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Elizabeth Bradshaw, Charleston, SC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:13:19 GMT

This truely angers me!!! Last week people were ready to stone Michael Vick for dog fighting and ready to not only end his career but send him to jail for ten years, but this woman gets to go free!! Are you kidding me. So is what we are saying is that a dogs life is way more important than a child? You can leave your child in a hot car and the child dies and thats ok? Now I know some of you are saying its the way in which the dog suffers, but think about how the little girl suffered. She was left in a car with no air. I have children and would NEVER, EVER have done that; and the sad thing is that this is not the first time she has done it and been warned by the police. So when does it end!!!! Where is PETA now and why havent they spoken up for this little girl who lost her life way to soon. Do not get me wrong I love my pets but I value children a whole lot more; there is no comparison. And where are all the people who protested aginst him; why aren't those same people who were so determined to see him prosecuted protesting this mothers freedom?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jim California — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:15:22 GMT

This is appauling to me. Not only that she forgot about her child in the back seat of her car but she can return to work as a school principal. If she does not remember her child is in the car how does she concentrate on what the children are doing in her school?? This is not a school I would want my child attending. There is no excuse in the world for this happening. She may have to live with this the rest of her life but just imagine how that child suffered in 150 degree heat. Appauling and inexcusable!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa, Alexandria, MN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:15:30 GMT

Wow, we are all quick to judge when we are not wearing someone elses shoes. While this story is very, very sad, this woman will be punishing herself for the rest of her life, does she really need us punishing her as well. Unfortnately, we are all human, and all make mistakes, not all are fatal, and she did not intentionally do this to her poor child. Ler her grieve the loss of her child without the fear of the rest of the world. Let us make the population aware of this tragic incident and learn from it. Let God take care of this poor woman and her family.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Bobby A Kappus Redmond,oregon — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:17:43 GMT

wow,this is sad.Please put her in prison.I have two childern,they mean the world to me.Why didnt she take her child in to get the donuts?If she gets away with this,then everyone that has done this schould get out.This loophole needs slamed shut.My hart goes out to the 340 childern that have been KILLED by this very same thing.Forgetting is just not acceptable......PLEASE DONT LET HER GET AWAY WITH THIS.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Connie G — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:18:08 GMT

I can not believe that she did not remember her child was in the back seat of the car. Why did she change her routine and not take the child to the babysitter before getting donuts for the staff? I would check with the babysitter to see if the mom called to let her know they would be late, not coming or something like that. Did the babysitter call her to see if the child was coming that day? Sorry I just don't believe that she forgot her child was in the back seat.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

BONNIE DICKSON , LAKE CHARLES LA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:18:27 GMT

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A MOTHER? SOMEONE WHO CARES FOR A CHILD, SOMEONE WHO HAS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR THEIR CHILD NO MATTER WHAT HE OR SHE DOES. THIS WOMAN IS NOT A MOTHER AND FOR HER TO CALL HERSELF ONE APPAULS ME. THE BIBLE SAYS IF WE ARE TO BUSY TO READ GODS WORD, THEN WE ARE TO BUSY. THE SAME GOES FOR OUR LIVES IF WE ARRE TO BUSY TO LOOK AFTER OUR CHILD OR CHILDREN THEN WE ARE TO BUSY. THE MEDIA SAYS SHE WAS TO BUSY, BUT YET SHE WAS NOT TO BUSY TO STOP FOR DONUTS. SHE MUST HAVE PUT ON HEIRS WHEN SHE WAS HIRED AS ASST PRINCIPAL OF THAT SCHOOL. IT MAKES A PARENT WONDER HOW SAFE THEIR CHILDREN ARE WITH HER BEING OVER THAT SCHOOL IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO A CHILD GOING THERE. WE ARE NOT TO JUDGE BUT I THINK THAT HER 5 YR OLD CHILD SHOULD BE PLACED IN ANOTHER HOME, WHERE YOU CAN BE SURE SHE WOULD BE LOOKED AFTER PROPERLY. WHAT ABOUT THE FATHER? OR THE BABYSITTER? WHY DIDNT THEY CALL AND ASK WHERE THE LITTLE GIRL WAS AT AND WAS THE MOTHER GOING TO BE BRINGING HER INTO DAYCARE FOR THAT DAY? WE CAN ALL ASK WHY BUT IT AL COMES DOWN TO THIS AND THAT IS THE WOMAN MUST NOT PUT BEING A MOTHER FIRST SHE PUTS HER JOB AND COWORKERS FIRST. INSTEAD OF HAVING A DONUT HOLE NOW SHE HAS A HOLE IN HER LIFE WITH HER LITTLE GIRL BEING GONE. WE ARE NOT TO JUDGE BUT THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY DAUGHTER NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

LINDA CARMAN GRASS VALLEY,CALIFORNIA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:19:56 GMT

WHAT GRIEF THIS WOMAN IS FEELING.I REALLY FEEL FOR HER PAIN,HOWEVER-WHY DIDN'T THE SITTER CALL TO SEE WHERE HER DAUGHTER WAS? THE LIST COULD GO ON AND ON..I SAY THIS WOMAN HAS BEEN PUNISHED ENOUGH WITH HAVING TO LIVE WITH THE GUILT EVERY DAY OF HER LIFE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AUTOMOBILES INSTALLED WITH A BABY ON BOARD SIGNAL, THAT COULD MAYBE BE HOOKED UP TO THE CAR SEAT AND GOES OFF WHEN YOU DON'T TAKE CHILD OUT OF VEHICLE?? OR SOMETHING THAT CAN ALLERT PARENT THAT THE BABY IS STILL IN CAR..TERRIBLE TRADGEDY,MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL HER FAMILY...SUSIE C GRASS VALLEY,CALIFORNIA

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Amanda, Cincinnati, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:19:59 GMT

The biggest piece the Today Show forgot to add, was that this had happened BEFORE. This was not new. She had been talked to about this BEFORE! Several weeks ago when picking up her other hcild, she left her baby in the car for over 10 minutes while she watch a play that her 5 year was doing. Also, someone at the school had complained before about seeing her leave Cecelia in the car as well. She also probably left the child in the car when she went to go get Donuts as well!

THIS HAPPENED BEFORE AND WAS BROUGHT TO HER ATTENTION. NO EXCUSES - she deserves to go to jail.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mike Columbus, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:20:25 GMT

Lee Cowan, in his Today report, conveniently forgot to report the mother had repeatedly been warned about leaving her daughter in the car. I think the prosecutor should file charges. Jail time may be too much, but certainly community service is in line. She was incredibly careless and thoughtless.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Janine Maldonado, Rocklin Ca. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:20:59 GMT

All I can say is what Dr. Laura says about this is my thoughts. This women needs to hear the Dr.'s thoughts on this and read her book for all these to busy women with children quit your job, go home raise your damn kids then go to work when they are out. Give up the things!!! Not the children it is not there chose be a good example. This is not ok and should never be accepted as ok shes been through enough let her go back to work. She still hasn't got what she did. She doesn't deserve her child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Marie C., Frederick, MD — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:23:11 GMT

Wow . . .I'm heartbroken for the poor girl and I tear up when I think about the suffering she must have went through. I PRAY, PRAY, PRAY she just slept the whole time and didn't feel any pain.

I wondered why no one saw her while walking through the parking lot? Then I realized, if her car is like most SUVs these days, the back windows are probably tinted so the child couldn't be seen. Can something be done about this?

I just want to thank Kaye of Rocky Hill, CT . . . she had wonderful ideas for helping busy, absent-minded parents remember their children in the backseat.

My thoughts? Well, like alot of you, I think the mother should be punished for this - intentional, accidental, or not. My kids are 6, 11 and 18, but not a day goes by (and my days are hectic) that I don't think about them; especially when they're in school. We're apart during the day and I miss them. Did her child ever enter her mind in those 8 hours?!? I just don't see how that could be possible . . . can one's priorities be THAT messed up?!? I know that we can't judge others (especially if we are guilty of sin ourselves), so I don't want to say jail her, convict her . . . only one Judge's decision is justified. At the same time, I just don't want that this incident be forgotten and the little girl's death another statistic buried. That poor baby was an innocent victim. Let's pray for the little girl's soul and God will take care of the rest.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Edwin M. Page, Fresno, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:23:43 GMT

If WE are so busy to forget our children in a car if the weather is hot or cold then they we don't need the children. It is to bad to lose a child over Dounuts! This woman should not be incharge of any children. She should be Prosecuted and lose her job as Assistant Principal. She might be to busy to take care of her other child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Babs, Ned CO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:25:09 GMT

MY heart goes out to the poor little child left alone for 8 hours in a sweltering hot car TO DIE. I cannot imagine how anyone could FORGET about their child FOR 8 HOURS. I can understand forgetting to eat, forgetting to make a phone call. But to forget that your child was in the backseat of your car for 8 hours? NO! A mistake? NO! That is negligence plain and simple. I adamantly disagree with the statements that "this could happen to anyone"! Give me a break.
As for the video of her at the police station... I realize that we've only seen a short excerpt, and we do not know all of the details. But from what *I* saw and heard, her statements were all about HER. "I want to die", "I've been trying to do everything for everybody." "I'm a bad mother". (understatement of the year) Not one word about her baby. She even looks up at the camera at one point. I don't know... seems very creepy to me.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Susan H — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:25:24 GMT

This woman should not be allowed to continue to care for her other child, nor should she be allowed to continue to assist in the care and welfare of an entire school full of children. If she is so overwhelmed by motherhood and career, perhaps she should focus on the one that really matters to her. I don't know how she can ever hold her head up again. She went for donuts, the other one went for Arby's. Disgusting.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Nell Glaze, Jemison, Alabama — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:27:01 GMT

After listening to others and talking a lot with friends and family, I have not heard a single person say that the mother should not go unpunished and I agree whole heartedly. Someone MUST act as advocate for the baby who died. Its also even worse knowing this mother is an assistant principal who is charged with the welfare of many other children all day long, not counting her own 5 year old she still has. An assistant principal surely has an office and I can envision her sitting at that desk where likely she had pictures of her children. How could she even glance at them and not be "jarred" to at least wonder how their day was going? I truly hope that we see an update very soon that the mother has been arrested for criminal negligence and that she has also been removed from her job. Also, is their Father in the picture I wonder?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Evelyn Huerta, San Diego Ca — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:27:14 GMT

I have never written my comments before to stories I read. I just saw the Today show and had a flashback of a very simular situation that happened to me almost 20 years ago. I can empathize with the situation being it hit home. I had my 9 month old with me in her car seat in the back seat of my car. I actually worked with my husband in our own business and I would take my daughter to work with me for several hours and then drop her off to my Mom. I had a very busy day and had to stop at several banks luckily all were driveups however when I arrived at my last bank the line was very full and I opted to just run in. I was so ancious to get it over with and hurry back to the rest of the days schedule I rushed out of my car completly forgetting I had my baby with me. I waited on line for several minutes not ever rememberng I left my baby locked up in the car. When I was done I got back in my car and drove off. It wan't for several blocks when I mentally was going the rest of my days schedule and I mentioned to myself drop my baby to my mom when something rewinded in my brain and I realized she was in my back seat asleep. I almost crashed as I screamed and pulled over and called her name and shook her until she woke up! I felt like the worst mother in the world I cried myself to sleep for weeks just thiking how she could have died. I told my husband and he could not believe how I could forge my own child. But It could happen. It's not an excuse but its an unfortunate reality in our busy lives. I ve often thought baby car seatbelts should have an alarm go off if we open the car door and not empty out the seat kind of the reverse of an alarm going off it we don not put on our seat belts. My beautiful daughter is now almost 20 and I tell her the story and she has said to me your the best mom in the world I cant beieve how you forgot me? All I can say is it can easily happen to anyone. People should be careful not to judge or want to punish someone for a behavior or bad move because they never know how they too be in a similiar situation NEVER SAY NEVER.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Rene', Louisiana — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:28:05 GMT

Make no mistake, this was murder and intentional. To her own admittance she had done this before which would ensure ANY mother that it never happened again. Being an SUV owner there is no doubt in my mind that at the very least while backing her truck up to the school to unload her doughnuts (God help us all, she remembered those), she saw the baby in the car while looking over her shoulder, if that's not enough, while unloading her doughnuts, (can't forget those), the head of a toddler is very visable from the hatch of an SUV so small. Please, if there is any justice left in this world, I beg the police to look further into this. Her own statements given in your police station were only about herself, not of her child. I'm not a detective and it's very plain to see. This was a deliberate act and she deserves the maximum the law will allow.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Angela Hauff, East Wenatchee, Wash. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:28:25 GMT

Not only was I saddened but I brought thought to my daily routine as well. I am also a Mom of 4, a Wife, and a business professional. I can not say that I have forgotten any of my children in the car. My opinion on this is that her routine became such a ritual that when she strayed from it, she lost track of what she had and hadn't already done for the day. This reminds each and every one of us to change our daily routines. It keeps our minds much more alert when we do. The other thing is this Mom didn't go to the Bar or Shopping Mall and leave the child. I can see punishment when people leave thier children intentionally. This was just a tragic accident.

I feel such sadness for the loss of their child. This was not intentional. Brenda and her family will have to live with knowing that the death of her child will be solely on her shoulders for ever and that is a very very long time.

The one question I do have is about her sitter. I had a daycare provider, if we were at least a half hour late, she was calling me and asking me where we were and if we were okay. Did she call the sitter and tell her they would be late, or did the sitter even think to call Brenda at work?

For those lashing out and adding insult to injury, take the time and reflect when you made a major mistake in life.. No you probably didn't leave your child in a hot car, that resulted in their death. This is what happens when society puts so much pressure on working Mothers and Fathers. Everyone expects so much out of a person that they can only handle so much stress.

My Sympathy's To the Family and City where they lived for the loss of this Child

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joanne B, Media, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:30:46 GMT

I found the references to developing a technology to prevent this type of tragedy very interesting, very useful input to the readers. However, I believe that, fundamentally, it should not be needed. Parenthood is synonomous with multi-tasking, whether you are a working parent, single parent, stay-at-home parent, or parent of one or multiple children. This mother has either never had or has lost her ability to multi-task. Forgetting your child in the back seat of car throughout an entire workday does not equate with forgetting to turn in a permission slip for a school trip, so this is not a forgivable mistake of a busy mom. This is an example of someone who can not be a mom. The law may dictate that she can not be prosecuted, however, I believe she should be stripped of her title as school administrator and certainly as mother. Her 5-yr old is who I am concerned about now. Subjectively, I can add that I am a working mother of 4 small children (1 with special needs) and owner of dogs, cats, and a rabbit and, oh yes, a wife to a husband. So, as well, I can not imagine forgetting that my child is in the back seat of my car no matter what has changed in my routine. But, I have forgotten occasional permission slips and to pick up donuts for my co-workers, whoops.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Gary Williams — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:33:01 GMT

As a father of an exhausted single mother attempting to do the impossible alone in an excelerated society, I can say you have absolutely no idea until you have walked in her same shoes - she's innocent!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Emily, Budd Lake, NJ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:33:23 GMT

I'm not a mother, so I cannot comment on the "busy" factor or the possibilty of forgetting a child, but I can look at the facts.

If you look at the surveillance footage, this mother had to back up the vehicle, which usually requires one to turn around; then get out and pass the child; open the back where a two-year old's head could have possibly been visable, or her car seat, notheless; then pass the child's window again and get into the car, where one most likely has a larger scope of the contents of the vehicle. There were at least 3 times where the child inevitably was in the mother's vision. I cannot believe she is not being prosecuted for that reason in itself.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J. Guthrie, Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:34:28 GMT

Of all people, an asst principal should be one of the first people to look after the safety and well-being of a child. There should be mandatory jail time for people who are negligent like this. Here in Phoenix during the summer, temperatures get up to 150-160 in the car with no ventilation under direct sunlight, and it's not much cooler in the shade with the windows cracked. Anyone here would be charged with a crime if they left their child in a car for that long. Killing this child should be punishable and not ruled as an accidental death. There's no excuse on the world for leaving a child in a hot car to cook. Many people say she will regret it the rest of her life... true, but she can do that in jail as well. I can only hope that the child didn't wake up to suffer through that heat.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Oyde Rostermundt ,Alexandria — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:36:02 GMT

I believe this lady could well have the begings of early alzheimers known as Demenita.It is the short term memory that starts years before a name is given for an illness. most people are classed as an occassional irresponsible person. In Any case she will suffer for a very long time. My sympathy to all the family.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Ashley, Wilmington, NC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:38:31 GMT

I believe that no one can judge us but God. So I am not going to sit here and cast judgement on this woman, regardless of how irresponsible her actions were. What I do want to comment upon is the comments that some people have left about putting sensors in cars, and on carseats that will inform the parent if they have left a child in the car. Are you serious?! Do you really think that parents should be reminded how to care for their child? In this case, there should be reminder foreverything; ding...your child is hungry...ding...your child needs to be changed... ding...your child has a runny nose. We should not have to be reminded for someone that we chose to bring into this world. A child is one of the most precious things a parent could ever have, and we should not have to be reminded about their existence, instead they should be at the forefront of our minds at all times.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Carol Blumenstein, Grass Valley, OR — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:39:58 GMT

I was shocked this morning after the tragic news regarding the little 2 year old being left in the car. Granted her mother was wrong in leaving her but must have had too much on her mind which is no excise. I do think it is TERRIBLE that the TODAY SHOW is having people voting if she should be punished. That just seems in VERY poor taste.
Carol Blumenstein, Grass Valley, OR

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

BArb , Paso Robles, Calif. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:40:28 GMT

Again, I tried to vote but was unable to do so. I'm a 63yr. old woman who had 5 children back in the 60's. I remember going to a relatives house and leaving my child asleep in the car with all the windows down. Things were different then. I stayed within 5feet of the car in case my child woke up. I didn't want my child to be scared. NO I never left them alone with the windows up. I'd probably be in jail if something did happen. In this day and age people are stressed more and things aren't as they were back then. I'm not saying that nothing should happen to the mother. I do believe society wants her punished. She should be punished. But not to the point of having her other child taken from her. Or to the point of going to jail either. God only knows that the mother DIDN'T leave her in the vehicle on purpose. Make every person pay but not to the extreme of JAIL. Isn't it enough that her child died. Isn't it enough she has to tell her other child and her family and friends that her child is dead because of her. Again, I'm not saying that nothing should happen to her. But, to all you PERFECT people in this world I sure hope that nothin unforseen EVER happens in your life. Remember God is watching all of us and he brings us home when we are ready no matter how old we are.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lynda — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:41:02 GMT

Some of the information about this case is baffling, but all in all, I suppose it COULD happen. There are a couple of things that nag at me...didn't she even talk to her child shile driving? The child was not an infant...are you always acutely aware of your children in a car? Don't you communicate with them, or glance back occasionally as you drive? I always did. Also, there did seem a lack of any interest more than what people thought of HER during that police interview, and even her neighbor saeemed to choose words carefully when describing the mother. I don't know if it was the editing process that seemed to slant things that way, or if the mother really was more distant than you would expect her to be. At any rate, on a practical level, Kaye from Rocky Point, CT had WONDERFUL techniques for avoiding this in her post above. Everyone with kids should read and reread her ideas. They were excellent! Too bad they couldn't have helped this tiny child....

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa Marston, Rogue River, Oregon — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:41:46 GMT

Although I agree that there is no punishment greater than the loss of a child, our legal system is based on the premise that people must be held responsible for their actions. If we miss a doctor appointment because of our busy schedule, we still have to pay for that appointment. If we kill someone with our vehicle because our busy lives compell us to talk on our cell phones while driving, we still can be charged with negligent homicide. At least in the latter example, the other drivers have some control over the outcome, i.e., taking evasive action. But in this case, we're talking about a 2-yr-old child. And a mother who forgot for 8 HOURS that her child was still in the car??? I could see forgetting for an hour, maybe up to 3 hours, but 8 HOURS??? How is that not "reckless conduct?" I'm not suggesting that the mother spend time in prison, but she absolutely should be charged and held responsible for her actions. Even if she were to do community service, perhaps speaking to other busy mothers about the dangers of juggling too many responsibilities, that would bring some measure of justice to the situation. And in the end, I think the mother would be grateful for the opportunity to attone for her monumental stupidity just like any one of us unfortunate enough to kill someone in the course of our busy lives.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tara Wilmington, NC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:43:01 GMT

First I would like to say that this family is in my thoughts and prayers during this tough time. I have no doubt that this mother is probably punishing herself more than any prison could however, it is undeniable that her negligence resulted in the death of her child and therefore she should be held responsible for that. It may have been a mistake but she should have to face some kind of consequences for her thoughtless actions. I keep hearing that she had such a busy and hectic schedule and that somehow is supposed to explain how why this happened. If she was that busy that her schedule prevented her from properly caring for her child then she should have gotten someone to help her. It makes me wonder what else her children may have had to endure as a result of her being just "too busy". What else did she "forget"? She stated in her police interview that she was just trying to be "everything to everyone" well how about being a mother first and foremost? How is her other child supposed to feel safe with her now and what about the kids that are in her care on a daily basis at the school? The fact that she can't remember to take care of her own child and is responsible for hundreds of other children is upsurd to me. Also, in refernce to the few comments I saw that we should install some type of sensor or device that notifies your cell phone if you forget your child in the car deeply saddens me. It wasnt just one jaded person that made this type of comment but a few and if we as a society are getting so busy that we have to have some electronic device do your job as a parent that is truly a tradegy in itself.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

JANE, NEW YORK — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:48:32 GMT

I do understand the anger but, this can happen to anyone. My husband and I have forgotten who was picking up my oldest son at daycare but never in the car. Heres to hopping it never happens.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

James Oldenburg — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:48:35 GMT

HOW CAN ANYONE REMEMBER TO GET THE DOUGHNUTS OUT OF HER CAR AND FORGET ABOUT HER CHILD?? Watching the video it just amazes me that she can open the back of her suv remove the box of doughnuts' go and park the car and not remember her child is sitting in the car. I live in a very hot climate and people here at least get a ticket for leaving their dog in the car. I have sat in a car, with the windows open, in 120 degree weather. It is not pleasant. I cannot imagine the suffering this child went through!!! Yes Ms Slaby may have to live with this the rest of her life but this is a crime. She does have another child, what if she is rushed to get doughnuts and forgets about this one. Will she be excused again???

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

maria hearn — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:48:44 GMT

It is crazy that in this society the rights of dogs is held to a higher standard than those of children! How do you forget your child asleep or not! Being a parent is constant!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Julie Lynn Georgia — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:54:33 GMT

She is not being punished? What?? No one can make me believe that when she got out of her car and reached for the stupid donuts that were so important she did not see her two year old in the back seat. Impossible. So she puts on a good show of guilt and regret so what! She should still be charged with manslaughter. There is no excuse for gross negligence or stupidity.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Indiana — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:56:36 GMT

She left the child in there for EIGHT HOURS? In that time frame, not once did she remember that her child was in the car? Why did she not just bring the child in with her? That's what most parents do. I cannot believe that anyone sane would not remember even once in eight hours that their child was in a smothering car. What if the child had been stolen or something? Anything could have happened and this is simply negligent behavior in my opinion. As for the video, I'm not for sure if she should get away with it just because she "seems" really sorry over the incident. Negligence is negligence, and she should at least be charged with it. Also, she has another child? I think that the child should be taken away from her and I also think that the woman needs to be psychologically tested to see if there is something wrong with her. I cannot believe the absurdity of this story.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lissette Jimenez-Yahia, Miami, FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:57:12 GMT

I'm a busy mom with a full-time job and a hectic schedule. Not once throughout the day in my hectic, busy, crazy schedule do I not stop thinking about my kids. My husband typically drops our 2-year-old off, and just because, i call to check on him both after my hsuband drops him off and also once or twice a day. Certainly i would never go an entire length of a work day and not call to at least find out what he ate for lunch! I'm not sure how any mother can go an entire day and not make at least one phone call to the day care provider or whomever takes care of the child! Maybe if she had, she would have realized her daughter didn't make it to daycare. And why wouldn't the daycare person call her to ask why her daughter didn't come in?? Something stinks here...

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mary — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:58:03 GMT

Who meant more to this mother and teacher who thought donuts were far more important then her own daughter! I can't believe she never gave her daughter a second thought that she should have went and checked to make sure she had followed through with her daily routine. A mother that cares deeply about her child always puts the child first in her thoughts. I find this odd! Next time she buys donuts this will haunt her for the rest of her life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

P.Buhagiar, San Jose, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:58:47 GMT

There's a side of this that is particularly disturbing. First of all, in my opinion, you can't really punish the mother any more than what she has already gone through. If punishment is the objective, then is has already been done. My god, this was truly an accident and there seems to be no evidence to say otherwise.
But as a different view, the demands and expectations of many jobs (work or personal) require much more than the normal 8-hour day. The pre-occupation and planning required to fulfill lifes' commitments does start cutting into personal time. And you probably need that job to survive so, unfortunately, at that point in time, one item in your mind gets replaced with another. It is carelessness, but also it is the individual limits of the mind. Luckily, most forgotten incidents are uneventful and of no consequence (...forgot to stop at the store, etc?). To those that have been there, you can understand exactly what I mean. It's sad that "picking up donuts" was what seems to piss people off with the remote thought that this was more important that her child. Sadly, it was the occurance of one thought momentarily replaced with another. The regrets is this happens every day but this particular incident was fatal.
How about those individuals that talk on their cellphones while driving... how dare you place more importance on your silly conversation instead of paying attention to other lives around you! Yet when you finally hit a pedestrian, or another car, and the result was that someone dies, the conclusion will probably be this was just an accident. All of our everyday routines are just a thought away from a life-changing disaster. It's just that most of us have been lucky so far.....

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Nancy, Cleveland, OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:02:06 GMT

Another article came out today stating that this woman has left her child in the car in at least 2 other instances. The dangers were pointed out to her by others at the time. This is pure negligence on this woman's part! I believe that her other child should be taken away or monitored closely. This woman cannot be trusted.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lorraine Meredith — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:02:50 GMT

So I guess she also left an unattended baby in the car to go into a store and buy donuts? Great mom.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joanne Baker, Carmel by the Sea, Ca. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:04:09 GMT

Yes, I do think the mother should go before a judge-
I cannot believe she could "forget" her baby was in the car-but could "remember" the donuts! For 8 long hours-I don't care how frazzeled she was-or how hectic her life is. I cannot believe she is already talking about returning to her job!! Come on-can she really handle that?? How about the little daughter at home still- will her mother be able to cope??How about the father-where is he?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa D — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:05:02 GMT

She will be living with this mistake for the rest of her life. Who knows how you can "forget" your child. It sounds as if it was a tragic accident, and I'm not sure what putting her in jail will do...she will pay for this - for the rest of her life already. This was not "criminal" it was negligence...

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jennifer Reid — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:05:13 GMT

How my heart goes out to this mother. However, as a mother of a 7 month old, I cannot imagine ever forgetting my child was in the back seat of my car. Routines change daily, and that should not be her "excuse" for forgetting her baby. And why didn't her child care provider call her asking her where her child was? There are too many questions out there to just let her slip by unpunished. A life was taken from her negligence, and yes, she will pay dearly for the rest of her life, but she needs to be punished by the law.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jennifer, Panama City FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:05:28 GMT

As a mother of three children, with two jobs..I understand how hectic life can be. Especially in the early morning hours, when the day is just getting started. One could have easily have failed to realize that their sleeping child was still with them. I personally set reminders for myself, whenever my children are with me; a toy in the front seat or my purse in the back seat.

My heart goes out to this Mother.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa Maddocks — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:05:35 GMT

If someone leaves their dog in the car, they are charged with animal cruelty. I don't understand the reasoning behind not filing charges in this baby's death. It is simply BEYOND my comprehension. This is the type of situation that really make us lose faith in our legal / justice systems.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

T. Atkins - San Diego, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:05:45 GMT

Donuts? Daughter? What a choice.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jennifer Reid, Richmond, Va — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:06:12 GMT

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kay Martin — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:06:12 GMT

It has come to light that the woman left her child in the car before in the winter, and was told not to do it again. If you are that stressed that you forget about your baby for a whole day, something is wrong. They shouldn't have said they wouldn't charge her until they had all the facts,

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Alicia Tijerina, Laredo, Texas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:06:26 GMT

I was reading the article about the lady that left her daughter in the car. I can believe she did that. Somebody should invent a device or something to show that there is somebody still in the car. I ve heard a lot of incident like this. I hope somebody will come out with something.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lauren M., Washington D.C. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:06:43 GMT

Are people dumb? This story is tragic and sad, and I went on to read some people's comments and I think its crazy that people are suggesting inventions to let parents know their kids are in the back or that they should be put in the front seat. I don't think there needs to be an invention, people just need to realize they have to take care of their children!! It makes me sad to think that a parent would need something to beep for them to remember they have a kid. If you took the time to put your child in the backseat and interact with them, then there is no excuse to totally forget that you did that and leave them in the car. That child in the backseat should be your top priority. End of discussion.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Roger Peters - Madison, Wisconsin — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:07:16 GMT

It is interesting to note that the vehicle she was driving had tinted windows in back. Had the windows not been tinted, it is likely that the child would have been noticed in the back seat by passersby in the 8 hours the child was left in the car.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mike Dodgson, Pittsburgh PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:07:17 GMT

"To me this was a terrible mistake; one that she'll be paying for the rest of her life."

Okay. lets just free every person on death row, or serving life (how bout Manson?) because they have to live with it for the rest of their life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J. Dubai, Baton Rouge, LA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:09:59 GMT

For those who can't fathom, just grow older you may understand better. The shoes you wear today won't necessarily fit tomorrow. God forbid any of us will have to experience such tragedy.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

MK — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:11:32 GMT

In FLa, this happens more freqently than it should, it is heartbreaking yes, but the legal consequences for parents seem to be so different depending on the lawyers and the circumstances. One mother in our area several years ago on the "good" side of town, knew she'd left her child in the car "to sleep" while she watched another child's sports event, and was not prosecuted. Other parents, who "forgot" in other areas get legal consequences. It is uneven and unfair that some must pay and some do not. In either case, the children pay the highest price suffering seizures, pain and agonizing death. As an ER Nurse,PLEASE- if you leave the car, take your children with you. Too many things can happen even if you leave them for a moment-be conscious, be aware. None of our jobs are worth losing a child over.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tiffany Bassett, VA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:12:10 GMT

I'm a mother of two boys, Clay is 3yrs and Cole is 4 months! I've never forgot my boys! As a mother I just can't feel any pain for her, but I just want to cry for the children! I think she should pay for want she did and never been aloud to work with kids again! I would not leave mine with her! Just Ask your self would you?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

lizette broward county,florida — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:13:19 GMT

I'm a 38 year old mother of four kids, my oldets is now 18 and my youngest is 4 in between my daughter is 13 and my other son 12, i know more than anybody how crazy life gets with having four kids a job and husband to attend but i think in life once you have kids your first priority in life is to attend to your childrens need, when my older son was 5 my younger kids were tolders i use to drop him off at school when i would get there i had to walk him to class my daughter and son were both infants i use to have to take all three of them out and walk my son to class come bak and put them back in their car seats, than off to drop them at daycare, go to work for 8 hours and than do everything all over again, in life when you have kids there is no time really for anythng but to make sure you bring them up the best way you can, my kids are almost all grown up and i'am very fortionate that in the jist of this this hecticate life we all lead that sort of thing never happen to, mothers have to stop and think that their childrens lives will always be in there hands and they are the ones that have to watch out for them, i went to my older sons school and saw and infant of about 3 months left in the car the car was running and the mother locked the keys inside the police were there trying to open the door and all i could think about is how can you leave your kid in the car i thought that the police would do something about it but i saw the woman just drive off when they opended the car, there should be a law for leaving your kids in the car unattended lets make sure this does not happen again and let's take this to the senate to pass a law for all those kids that have lost there lives being left alone to die in a car.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Patricia L. Murphy OKC, OK — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:14:40 GMT

How can anyone forget that they have children in the car? It was quite obvious that this woman main focus was pleasing her co-worker with donuts than making sure that her child was safe. Can you imagine what was going through that two years old mind sitting in that car and " being fried to death". She should be held criminally responsible for her child death, because he was responsible for the child safety as we all are. We have four children and we NEVER left one of them in the car or anywhere for that matter. The state of Ohio Child Welfare should get involved in this matter, to protect the other child she has from immediate danger in my opinion.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jennifer Culp, Anderson, IN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:15:13 GMT

I have 4 children My heart breaks for her. One time I was babysitting my neice and nephew and their mom can and got them a little early as we were pulling in the drive way. I got so pre-occupied getting them out and helping my sister-in-law get their stuff. All of a sudden like 10 minutes I realized Joseph 18 mths old was not there. It compeletly freaked me out. I went and got him out of the car. He was so hot and I felt terrible. My husband did not understand why I felt so bad. What kind of parent does this. I just forgot. So I can understand how she can forget. She will have to live with this for the rest of her life. I would never want to be her. I am so sorry for your lose

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Susan, Omaha, NE — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:15:53 GMT

What about the fact that she obviously left her child alone in the car while she went in to get the donuts? That is also criminal, I believe. Awful. And, yes, how did she miss seeing the little girl when she backed up and then got the food from the back of the vehicle as others have pointed out.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

SARA..... KENT, WASHINGTON — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:17:20 GMT

MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO NOT ONLY THE MOTHER, BUT HER FAMILY AS WELL, AND THE LITTLE ONE WHO LEFT THE EARTH, I FEEL BAD FOR THE MOTHER BUT SERIOUSLY! HOW DO YOU JUST FORGET YOUR CHILD??? I AM SORRY, AWAKE OR ASLEEP YOU DON'T FORGET YOUR CHILD, I MEAN I CANNOT COMPREHEND THAT AT ALL. I AM SORRY THOUGH FOR HER LOSS AND GUILT SHE MUST FEEL, I HOPE SHE CAN FORGIVE HERSELF, AND STAY STRONG.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Roseann Sorr, Hamilton, NJ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:18:03 GMT

Oh my god, how horrible! First of all, who leaves their 2 year old in a car alone whether its for 8 minutes or 8 hours? She lost all rights of motherhood just for that let alone forgetting she was in there and went directly to work? Punishment - lock her in a car in 150 degrees and wait until she no longer lives!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Amanda, IN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:19:26 GMT

Its a horrible thing that has happened. As a new working mom it is very heartbreaking. It is one of those things that you think would never happen to you but it can. Summers where I work are extremely busy and sometimes you forget to do something, you get into a routine and that's that. Forgetting my child in the car I don't think would ever do but sure this lady didn't think that either. You would think that a child that attends daycare daily that there would have been a phone call to the parents when this child didn't show up that morning. Hopefully there are many things that are learned from this not only to parents but also to daycare providers. As far as punishment goes....not sure. You have mothers/fathers that purposely murder their children and get off light. Honest accident....don't know, its terrible to have to live with this.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Marie R Decatur AL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:20:15 GMT

When I think how that precious baby died, it makes me sick. I do feel bad for the mother, however our justice system must have some major kink in it. For this woman to be aloud to return to her postion at a school to be in charge of other peoples young children, it blows my mind! Yes, we are all gilty of makeing mistakes, but someone should jump in and stop her from returning to her job to make a "mistake" with a child that is not her own! Its sad when FOOD and "pleasing others" are put before our own families. Heaven forbid that the doughnuts melted.
I do have a comment on a previous comment for Jim, from Troy MI. I agree with him that an example of her needs to be made with some kind of punishment. There are some sick cookies in this world, like him I'm fearful for the children of parents that may look at this for an easy way out.
My thoughts and prayers go to this family and all their friends.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Chris Vancouver, WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:20:27 GMT

In the world we live in today, I guess everyone expects everyone else to be super human and make absolutely no mistakes in life. This was an accident.....did we all forget what an accident was? So quick to point a finger and judge everyone especially when it is something YOU KNOW would NEVER happen to you. How do you know? If it did happen to you tomorrow, do you feel like you should spend the rest of your life in prison for an accident???? Quit acting like everyone in the world is supposed to be perfect, accidents happen, whether they are small or horrific ones THEY HAPPEN!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jamila , Cincinnati, oh — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:20:53 GMT

Being from Cincinnati & a mother of a 6 year old & a 4 month old we all have being dealing with coverage of this story 24/7. I do feel like she deserves some form of punishment for the "so called" mistake she made! This was not the 1st time she had been warned about leaving her child in the car, and now her negligence has taken a life! Furthermore the question of race has been brought up. Since this is a white woman in a upper class suburban area she has no charges filed against her!!!!!!! But if this had been a mother who was a minority charges would have been filed w/ in 24 hours they took almost a week to come back & say "she has suffered enough"! With the race relations the way they are in Cincinnati I am not surprised by the outcome. I am digusted & saddened that donuts deemed more important than the well being of her child. Why were there no calls from the father or babysitter asking the wearabouts of this child? That question has never been brought up. And how she can go back to work @ the same facility her daughter lost her life at is beyond me. I wouldn't be able to go back there w/out having flashbacks of that horrible day so I also question her mental state right now & in the future.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michele, Panama City Beach, FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:22:08 GMT

did she comment on if her co-workers like the donuts? It seemed to take priority in her day. I agree with the other comments-how can you forget you child in the car less than 2-3 feet away from you? Wouldn't she have seen the child in her rearview mirror?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J. Guthrie, Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:22:59 GMT

Of all people, an asst principal should be one of the first people to look after the safety and well-being of a child. There should be mandatory jail time for people who are negligent like this. Here in Phoenix during the summer, temperatures get up to 150-160+ in the car with no ventilation under direct sunlight, and it's not much cooler in the shade with the windows cracked. Anyone here would be charged with a crime if they left their child in a car for that long. Killing this child should be punishable and not ruled as an accidental death. There's no excuse on the world for leaving a child in a hot car to cook. Many people say she will regret it the rest of her life... true, but she can do that in jail as well. I can only hope that the child didn't wake up to suffer through that heat.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J.L. Cincinnati, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:23:05 GMT

For those of you who want to see her rot in jail, how do you reconcile a mother who leaves her child for 20 seconds to answer the phone and finds her child submerged underwater, or maybe the exhausted parents who bring their fussy baby to their bed to soothe her and wake up the next morning to discover that one of them had rolled too close and smothered her? Should they go to prison?

How many parents have forgotten to buckle their child/baby into their car seat while putting away groceries? Should they go to prison?

For those of you who aren't vice principals, do you even realize how busy the first day of school is for these people?

Grieve for her and her family, but don't judge her. She'll do that on her own for the rest of her life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kelly — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:23:46 GMT

I agree moving car seats to the back seat and turned backwards at that...is part of the problem. But the bigger problem is that this is another example of the way of life for the average American. Mothers have to work and have other people watch their children. To live in this country is so expensive, both parents have to have a car to get to work, insurance on the cars, gas, you have to work to have a home, food, electric, water, gas...etc...the list goes on, on...I am not defending or judging or accussing...we have created this life, our politicians have created this life for us with letting everything get so unaffordable for the family that does try to have a stay home Mom. Or even harder if you are a single Mom. My heart goes out to her and she will be judged by her God and not by me, her pain will live with her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Charlene, Buffalo, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:24:09 GMT

This educated woman didn't forget to take the donuts out of the car, but she forgot her own sleeping 2 year old for 8 hours???? Every day, thoughts of my kids pop in my head while I'm at work - and this women works around children. Don't you think she would have remembered at some point in the day? Living with the guilt the rest of her life is not punishment. (A majority of criminals have guilt the rest of thier lives but still get punished.) Fair punishment for this (and any "forgetful" parent) should be let them suffer the same fate as the child. Buckle in & lock this woman in a 150F degree car in the sun for 8 hours without liquids and let her cry for help. If she is still alive 8 hours later, then let her go free.
These "incidents" will still happen as long as people know they will not get punished. This woman better give her other kid(s) a set of car keys just in case she forgets them in the future, at least they'll be able to drive away to get help!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tony — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:25:29 GMT

Of course she knew she left the kid in the car..She should go to jail for 20 years if not longer. It just a matter of time before her 5 year old suffers the same fate..Where is the father in all of this? If she gets away with this, it will send a clear message to other air headed moms that you can kill your kid and get away with it.It's almost fool proof.it is not good because there are other mothers who do not want to care for their child and believe if you leave your child in a hot car and they die, she can always say I forgot.Send this prozak drunk to the slammer and let her think about what she has done instead of her sitting in a bar laughing & sipping Margaritas...Fry the slobbering pig.No more excuses, do the crime do the time......out.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

xtian — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:25:34 GMT

No one but herself knows what really took place.
God forbid anyone else ever makes the same horrible mistake again.

If it was a regreatable mistke, may she get closure, otherwise she has and contunie to live in a nightmare she created.

Ussually when we stans as judges we have the tendency to make the same errors.
I can only hope it nevers happens to any one else.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jamie, Greenville, SC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:25:54 GMT

Give me a break, you do not just forget about your child. We ALL have busy lives, let's not use that as an excuse here. This woman is being portrayed as the "victim", and she is going to have to live with this the rest of her life- well she should. If my child was a student at her school, I would remove him if they did not let her go, she obviously has entirely too much going on in her life to care for children. There is not an hour that goes by that something doesn't remind me about my child, am I over protective? maybe.... but I guess that is not always a bad thing to have said about you. She should be punished for this, not matter how "guilty" she feels NOW. Children look up to us for guidance and protection, if you can not provide that as a parent then maybe she should have reconsidered having children in the first place. I am from SC and I would like to apologize for the ignorant statement made by someone else in SC about putting car seats in the front seat, I mean that makes alot of sense?! Windsheild verus baby, please, the back seat is the safest- if you can't remember child is back there, then you should have any.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

eleanore — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:26:11 GMT

It amazes me how many people hearts are breaking for this mom, but not to many hearts are breaking for the baby. A baby who suffocated to death in heat most of us can only imagine. Needless to say if this was a dog they had found in that car, most of the people feeling sorry for this mom would want her head on a platter. This is a ugly world we live in, but there is no excuse for being more concerned about getting donuts for your co-workers than you are about the safety and welfare of your child. I believe that things happen for a reason, I also believe that the way babies are treated these days most are better off in God's care. May that precious baby rest in peace and may God bless and protect all the little ones and keep them safe in this crazy, ugly world.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

d.j. mayberry — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:26:41 GMT

For 8 hours it never dawned on her that ooops.... "I forgot to stop at the day care before work"......Geez........nor even giving any thought to her well being !! More important to please and suck up to co workers with donuts than being responsible for Gods gratious gift and totally dependent for livelihood asleep in the back seat.Sad to think that the mother is school teacher who is responsible for other peoples children in her classes. She should be tried for the death of her child and never allowed to be in the care of children and monitored with the care of any other of her children in the future.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tamara Harris, Chippewa Falls, WI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:27:02 GMT

No I do not feel sorry for this woman. She forgot her child. She is a principal at a MS, well I teach at a MS. I am the mother of a 5 yr. old and have worked all her life. I also have 6 older children, we are all busy and our schedules are not always the same...that is life and our responsibility as parents. I have never forgotten any of my children in a car, not left them unattended...it is called common sense. Yes, forgetting children in a car does make people bad parents. You do not need electronic reminders, put your purse in the back seat or your briefcase (also common sense). Should she be charged? Yes and the punishment should be the same as the crime...lock her in a car for 8 hours in 95 degree heat. Should she still have her job? No, a principal needs respect from staff and parents and students...she has none.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lucy DAngelo — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:27:08 GMT

I feel sorry for that baby who had to die because her mother was preoccupied with stopping to buy donuts for her co-workers. At some point in her "busy" day she didn't even think about her baby and how she was doing in day care. This woman might not need jail time but she DEFINATELY needs some psychological testing. Her actions as a mother in this tragedy are not normal.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Debbie DiFulvio Plattsburgh, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:27:13 GMT

I am sure this mother will suffer for the rest of her life, and this may not have been intentional, but this is still NEGLECT no matter what kind of sympathetic spin the local authorites put on it. Shame on Ohio for not taking what seems like a 'back seat' to the whole deal. To think that donuts were first on the list over her child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Nicola, Colorado — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:28:18 GMT

We all have busy lives. Motherhood is the busiest of all. But that is not excuse. A little advice, do things that will help you remember. When my son is not in my car, I take out the car seat. That way I know that he is not in there. And when he is in my car I tilt my rear view mirror side ways a little. I am always loooking at that and when it is tilted i can see the car seat. Also I put my purse in the back seat. You have to get back there to get it. Hope that this comes in handy. There is nothing more important than your children. Love them by remembering!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Bianca, Freeport, n.y. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:28:34 GMT

Im a mother of a 4year old i can never leave my child in a car and for get thet he was in there who does that. If you ask me this is not a mistake she knows what she was doing how can you forget your child is in a hot car that is really crazy. She killed here child and she should not get away from that because people will try to us that as an excuse to hurt there children if it happans one time it can happen again.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Heather Liljenquist — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:30:46 GMT

I am sorry, I feel bad for the mother, but I am also a mother of two and NEVER have I forgotten them anywhere, let alone in a hot car. She needs to be punished in some way. I know that she will live with this forever, but think of how that child died? Think of how the child felt, then tell me she deserves no punishment!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Roger Jonas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:30:53 GMT

If this mother's name was Maria or Tameka and was driving a 1987 Chevy she would have been charged. Instead, this mother was driving a Mercedes SUV doughnut delivery vehicle - doughnuts which were more important for an overweight population - why not fruit - and why not after taking care of her own child? What an act she put on in that video - anyone notice how many times she looked at the camera?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Erika, Richmond, VA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:31:13 GMT

This story makes me sick to my stomach!! This woman does not deserve to have children let alone work in a school. She needs to be prosecuted just for the mere fact that the little one who died will get justice. I feel sorry for the older sibiling in this case because she lost her only sister and has a mother that is totally incomptent. Our legal system is such a joke in this country!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Trish, Janesville, Wi — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:31:44 GMT

I am a daycare provider and I am shocked that I've not heard anyone ask why the child care provider(s) didn't call the mother (Brenda) at the school and ask if her child was coming to daycare that day?

If a child doesn't show up at my daycare, I do this. If the parents are more than 30 minutes, I even call at that time, fearing they may have overslept, had car problems, etc.

Every time I hear about a situation like this, I think that had the child care provider taken this simple step, maybe that child would be alive today and that family not grieving.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Amanda, IN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:32:43 GMT

To Krista in CO, Forgot to pay your speeding ticket no excuse, shame on you! Funny thing is that mothers that suffer from post pardom get off pretty light. Whatever happened to the mother that drown her kids in the bath tub, mental inst. No jail time, no remorse. I like to think that most mothers would feel some sympathy for this woman. You can't tell me that not one of you has ever forgotten anything. Sorry but sure you all do. Just because it isn't your child sleeping in the backseat it's okay. no it was your responsibility to pay your speeding ticket and you FORGOT. Go to jail!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kristen Ruddy — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:32:45 GMT

I wonder if anyone has gone into the next room and forgot what they went in there for? I myself have had hectic mornings and once forgot that I had already dropped off my son at daycare. I got out of my car at work and ran back to check my car just to make sure that I really did him drive there. I couldn't believe that I, a mother of two children, would do something like this. Where was my mind...at work? I was only too relieved that it was not just the opposite. I only know that when your days are so routine that your brain automatically checks off in your head what it thinks you've already done, you cannot blame the parent for a horrible accident like this. People should get off their soapbox and think about how they would feel if the same happened to them during their busy hectic day. This is just another terrible reminder to every working parent to slow down and stop multi tasking when your most important task is your family, not donuts.

My sympathies go out to the Slaby family and all families who have had to suffer through something like this.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dustin, Oklahoma — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:33:45 GMT

I would NEVER leave any one of me children in the car for any amount of time. I'm sure if you asked her before this she would say the same thing.

Have a little compassion and mercy. I know your all perfect but it could happen to you. I don't care that you say "I would NEVER". That poor lady "would NEVER" too and she did.

Just because something awful happens dosen't mean someone needs to go to jail. People make unintended mistakes. This is a HUGE mistake, but still a mistake.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Don L, Seattle WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:34:21 GMT

I am infuriated by the stories every summer of parents leaving children in cars. Like Rene from IL suggested, someone needs to invent a safety mechanism. Here's my suggestion if you have the ability to take it, make it, and make some money on the way.

Most carseats have a 5-point harness. Invent a device that the harness buckles into. The device sets off an alarm when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees, and also calls you on your cell phone (similar to an Onstar system).

SOMEONE needs to invent SOMETHING!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

B Bridges, Melbourne FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:35:14 GMT

I think she should be charged for this. How can you just forget your child in the car. But you can remeber some donuts for your co-workers??? You back up your car to deliver the donuts, and don't see your child in the backseat? And you are already talking about going back to work, mind you, watching over other parent's children??? No mention on her part of the suffering that this child must have endured due to her wrongdoing? Something is not quite right here...Not to be sinister, but it sounds like the perfect crime to me. And don't get me that whole "don't judge her" line. Her child is DEAD because she had to go get donuts! You bet I'm going to judge her. I mean, 8 hours in the car, without her even thinking about her? She never checks in with her babysitter (not daycare center, mind you) during the day, on how her daughter is doing? I guess she was too busy eating donuts. ANd the whole excuse, "Oh poor me, I'm so busy, trying to do everything..." Well, I got new for ya, sister. All of us are busy, having kids, working, keeping up the house, buying donuts, etc, BUT we don't forget our children in our Mercedes SUV for 8 hours. I guess she should have gotten a cheaper car, maybe she wouldn't have been so busy working in order to pay for it that she forgot and thus caused the death of her daughter. So there you have it, it's not her fault, it's the car's fault. Blame the car, not her. Pu-lease!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kim Dyer , Umatilla, Or — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:35:26 GMT

This is a sad situation leaving a child in a car to die, especially for eight hours. I feel this mother got use to leaving this child in the car alot, while running in to pick up the five year old from day care . Some one turned her in for doing that and if the police had given a ticket then , that little girl who suffered thru this, might have been alive today . Two year olds are not any harder to take in and out of a car seat than a five year old .
This woman is an assistant principle at a middle school and she is not being charged and she is going back to school to work after the funeral is over. I think this woman is being treated as if this was a car wreck and not as a neglect case. For one she will be suicidal for awhile and all the kids at school are old enough to understand what she did and will not be kind to her. That mother will always suffer for what she did , but not paying some kind of consequence for her action will reck havic on her mental state and her five year old, may suffer from her mother's action in the future.
I find it hard to believe that she didn't think about her own childern at all, durning eight hours of seeing childern and talking about childern all day at a school.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Leigh C. Pawleys Island, SC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:35:30 GMT

This whole story is a sad commentary on our society and how busy we are. My main point is PLEASE don't show the video of the mother at the police station anymore! I was offended and repulsed when I saw it on the Nightly News last night and could not believe that you had the audacity to show it AGAIN on the Today show this am. Why do you consider this video newsworthy? I agree that unfortunately the story should have been reported, but the video added nothing to the story other than to provide some kind of sick pleasure for those who enjoyed seeing the mother's grief. This tabloid type of reporting is unworthy of NBC and is offensive to the intelligence and character of your viewers. Coupled with the "panty shot" that was deleted from your second showing of the interview with the young woman who was asked to leave the SW Airlines flight, this mornings's show was a complete disappointment. I can buy tabloids at the grocery store if I so choose. I expect better from NBC news.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jennifer, Sacramento, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:35:49 GMT

Wow, yeah that is terrible...Sure she is suffering, but her child suffered even more, considering she no longer has a life...Two years old...As a mother of a 4 year old, it is my job to make sure that my daughter lives her life as fully as possible...Careless accidents like this don't happen with good mothers...There is NO excuse for KILLING your child "by accident." This is just pure negligence...Most good moms would probably agree with me..A mother has something in her that tells her exactly where her child is...Your children should always have a place in your mind, at all times of the day...When my daughter goes to stay a weekend with my mother, I am so accustomed to checking on her and making sure she is okay that I forget is not with me..And I don't train myself to remember that she's with grandma. I am ALWAYS thinking about my daughter and putting her FIRST. Especially over donuts....That woman should not have even thought to leave her child in the car when she went in the store for the donuts...This is a terrible tragedy for the child, but evidently this mom has some parenting issues to work out. Good mothers have an innate sense when it comes to taking care of their children...

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

BJ, Syracuse, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:35:53 GMT

To the family of the child, including mom, I send my prayers. I cannot imagine how anyone would feel if this happened to them. I was a little angry at the fact that most of you folks seem to think she should do time. The attitude seems to be that you are superior and have never made a mistake. How about the busdrivers that leave kids on the bus - that's acceptable, and no punishment for them. And those of you who think she should lose her job - do you really know what happens to your children in these schools? I doubt it - schools only tell you what they want you to know. I know this first hand from dealing with the school my 2 grandsons went to. The only reason we found out anything is because my granddaughter saw what they did to one of my grandsons, and the other , the school didn't do what the private psychologist or I said, and they found out we were right. When they couldn't control his outbursts, they wanted him out of their school - so until you are in someone elses shoes - don't knock them.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

karyn, raleigh nc — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:36:04 GMT

Who could possibly believe that she would forget about her child for 8 hours? I cannot believe that not once during that 8 hours it didn't click in her brain that she didn't stop at the daycare. No one is that busy and if she is that easily distracted for that long then she definitely should not be in charge of a whole school full of children. When my daughter was 2 weeks old, I had to take my son to the eye doctor. I had put Lysa's little child seat with her in it down on one of the couches in the waiting room to pay the bill. Well, I walked right without her because I was distracted with her brother. It only took me about 15 seconds to realize that I had left her in the doctor's office. I was horrified that I had done that. She is now 38 years old and every time I read about something like this, it brings it back. It just sounds too convenient. And her not being held accountable to SOME extent makes it too easy for people that are evil enough to do this deliberately whether she did or not.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Linda Gray, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:38:21 GMT

I was shocked to see on the video that she showed remorse for how it had affected her and what was going to happen to her but not about her child dying. She seemed very concerned about how this was for her but not her dead child. Am I missing something?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

L Dompke Chicago, Illinois — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:39:12 GMT

Perhaps the best punishment for this mother would be to place her in a closed car with temperatures 100 to 150 with no way to open window and leave her there for 8 hours. Perhaps then she will realize what her daughter went through.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

T. Daggett, Winona Lake, IN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:39:26 GMT

I have struggled with this since I first heard it on August 23rd. On that day there were actually 2 children killed by being left in sweltering cars for an extended period of time. My first thought was of how tragic it would be to lose my child in such a horrific way. I know that she must be just devestated. Then, I was watching an interview with Matt Lauer that mentioned that she was already warned of the dangers of leaving a child unattended. My question is this - If she is an administrator, she understands the importance of delegation. She wants to be everything to everyone, but at what cost? It looks like her daughter unfortunately paid the ulitmate price for her need to please. I would like to think that if I were warned to not leave my child unattended, I would take that seriously. It didn't seem to phase her much if her actions conitinued. I would be interested in knowing if she left her daughter in the car while she was getting the donuts as well. I also have to wonder how responsible her child care provider is? As an administrator, she knows that if a child is unaccounted for, the school calls the parent to verify that they are in fact to be out of school. If those are standards for her students, they should absolutely be her standards for her own children. She and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with them.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

sak, Lansing, Michigan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:39:38 GMT

I once left a pacifier sterilizing in boiling water and went outside to do something. Next thing I knew the smoke alarm was going off. The water had boiled away and the plastic pacifier was melted, caustic smoke filled the house and by baby was sleeping in the living room. I was so lucky that she was unharmed. I will never forget what an awful feeling it was to think I could have hurt her. My sister lost her child in a backyard pool. He drowned as she slept in the sun. She was tired from preparing to go on a vacation. We are all just a step away from this kind of tragedy, and we need to slow down!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Shannon, Anadarko, OK — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:41:15 GMT

I can understand the short-term forgetting, but all day??? Very doubtful. Let her guilt and God punish her. Who are we to judge?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Ms. Indy, Indianapolis In — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:41:18 GMT

My heart goes with this woman, I'm sure she will not mind to be locked in that SUV for 8 hours & feel the pain her kid felt & die for that same reason. That's what real parent feel for their kids or love one's. I'm sure,she never ever intend to leave her baby in there, but because of her hectic schedule, accident happens! Please leave her alone & I hope she will seek counselling to get over the grief & forgive herself! I am a mother & I will not hesitate to die for the sake of my kids & I'm sure she is the same way!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tara Wilmington, NC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:41:21 GMT

First I would like to say that this family is in my thoughts and prayers during this tough time. I have no doubt that this mother is probably punishing herself more than any prison could however, it is undeniable that her negligence resulted in the death of her child and therefore she should be held responsible for that. It may have been a mistake but she should have to face some kind of consequences for her thoughtless actions. I keep hearing that she had such a busy and hectic schedule and that somehow is supposed to explain how/why this happened. If she was that busy, that her schedule prevented her from properly caring for her child, then she should have gotten someone to help her. It makes me wonder what else her children may have had to endure as a result of her being just "too busy". What else did she "forget"? She stated in her police interview that she was just trying to be "everything to everyone" well how about being a mother first and foremost? How is her other child supposed to feel safe with her now and what about the kids that are in her care on a daily basis at the school? The fact that she can't remember to take care of her own child and is responsible for hundreds of other children is absurd to me. Also, in reference to the few comments I have seen saying that we should install some type of sensor or device that notifies your cell phone if you forget your child in the car deeply saddens me. It wasn’t just only one person that made this type of comment but a few and if we as a society are getting so busy that you have to have some electronic device do your job as a parent that is truly a tragedy in itself.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tamara O. New York, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:41:28 GMT

This story makes me cry. I don't know what is right, what should happen to this mother-to be charged with a crime or not. All I know is that I hope her poor two year old daughter just stayed asleep and passed peacefully. My deepest deepest prayers and condolences to her family and to the mother.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

KB, Silver Spring, MD — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:41:41 GMT

Okay, this is what I want to know. How can anyone honestly say that this woman would still qualify to be an assistant principle? I mean granted, she has a hectic schedule. I am a single parent of two (8 and 5) and I know it is too easy to slip up every once in a while (I almost forgot to pick my baby up from the daycare. ALMOST). BUT as a MOTHER - you are supposed to have an inner alarm that alerts you to when something is not right with your child(ren). How can you forget your own child for 8 hours?! That is UNBELEIVEABLE. 8 hours is all day. Her gut should have checked her on that one. And for donuts? Yeah, she has to live with this one for the rest of her life, but she should not be allowed to stay in that position as assistant principle either. If you can forget your own child for 8 hours, what comfort can you give the parents of the children at school? That you won't do it again? Please.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

KB, Silver Spring, MD — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:41:48 GMT

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

danny, bolivar missouri — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:41:49 GMT

i agree to the ones above that stated that,every one in this country burns the candle at both ends,i think that like some other have said ,that she will pay for her mistake for the rest of her life,accidents do and will happen to each and every one of us whether you admit it or not,i do admit it is terrible,but tommorrow it could happen to you,believe it or not

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

S. Durdin,Los Angeles, CA. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:41:55 GMT

I do not believe that imprisonment is appropriate, but rather an evaluation and prescription for healing for Mrs. Slaby, is. It is possible that she cannot be accused of being negligent.
What I question, though is how a person can become so preoccupied that such a tragedy could occur. What would keep the mind/memory from retaining priorities in a course of events? Perhaps the psychologist community will address this question and make the public aware of this potential behavior.
I pray that God will give her the strength to sustain
herself towards healing.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Miss M , Seattle, Wa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:42:10 GMT

Let's not be so judgemental of this lady. She will have to live with the death of her child for the rest of her life! Every day she will have to think about this tragedy. When you follow a certain routine everyday and then one day it changes, it is easy to forget things. Our lives in this day and age are too busy. There are many times I have made careless mistakes due to the overwhelming amount of tasks I need to complete each day. Please pray for this lady, her family and her community.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tiffany, Carmel, IN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:43:30 GMT

I still don't see how someone can forget that their child is in the backseat. I guess i'm just alittle confused on how she didn't see her child when she was getting her things out of the car to go to work..Punishment for this lady, I can't say what should happen, Is it enough that her child is not here with her anymore for her punishment? I can't only imagine what she is going through..I have 3 kids of mine own and I make sure before we get out of the car that they don't forget their stuff and I watch them get out. My prayers go out to the family and GOD BLESS!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Luann Hays Henderson, Nevada — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:43:57 GMT

The pain she will suffer every day for the rest of her life is punishment enough. I lost my three year old child to acute leukemia, and I can tell anyone, there is no pain in the world like the pain of burying your child. My daughter, Amy, died in 1991, and I still grieve for her. It never ends.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

CAR, Austin TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:46:07 GMT

The bottom line is that this was not intentional. It was a horrible accident. I too feel that this could happen to anyone. I have nightmares about this kind of thing with my own children because I know it is a real possiblity. How many of us have done things without realizing it because we had something else on our mind, like put an item in the refrigerator that did not belong there, go into a room and forget what you needed to do there? Most of our mind lapses do not have such awful consequences, but what if they did? Lots of you say that you always put your children first and that this would never happen to you. Do you think about your children and nothing else constantly? No one can really say that this could never happen to them. It is easy to judge from the outside. My daycare does not have a policy of calling if a child does not show up. They have too many kids to keep track of to do that. This poor poor woman, if you have children, you know what it is like when your child is in pain. She will be living with the pain her child went through and with the responsibility of her death for the rest of her life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Maria Gastelum, El Monte, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:46:16 GMT

I read alot of the responses & one thing I agree is this mom should be held accountable for this!...how can someone forget a child 8 hours!? not acceptable! this type of incidents opens doors to others who can easily say the same thing to avoid criminal charges! No matter how hectic ones lives are & as humans we might forget a thing or two but to forget your baby for 8 hours is just an insane thing to get away with!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Felicia Ellithorpe, Yakima, WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:46:33 GMT

This was no mistake. She was so worried about getting donuts for her co-workers that she failed to remember THE most important existence in her life! Every time I get out of my vehicle I check my car, I turn around and look back and then once I close the doors I look thru the windows to double check. It's better to be safe than sorry. How could she forget to take the kid to the babysitter?? It's out of sync for a mother to not have her kids on her mind 24/7, especially when they are still toddlers. As a mother of a 2 year old little girl, I always make sure to know where she is and make sure that she is taken care of even if I think I know, I double check. I do feel bad for the mom, but she should have made sure her daughter was where she needed to be versus feeding her co-workers.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joy — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:47:22 GMT

If the mistake had haunted her the rest of her life, why didn't it haunt her when she did it the first time to her older child??
Jail her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kelly F, Connecticut — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:48:04 GMT

I'm sorry, I don't believe it. As a mother of 3 young boys all under the age of 5, my husband and I BOTH work full-time jobs AND we have 4 retail stores on the side we STILL would never JUST FORGET that our kids are in the car. Even when I know they are not there I still double-check my backseats. I guess she thought that getting her donuts to her staff was more important. I'm sorry but I would not want this woman still working at my school after this had happened. I think she should be punished.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa S, Louisville, KY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:48:36 GMT

I agree with Carol from Brecksville, OH who said during the interview she never spoke of her child. She only talked about herself and her negligance.
When everyone says the video was hard to watch I dont particularly think so.If I had harmed my child or any child in such a manner to cause their death I would be out of control with my grief.There's no way they would of got anything out of questioning me. I would need to medicated!! Ijust cant help but wonder why she never mentioned her sweet little daughter who she murdered.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J Stump — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:49:20 GMT

To those saying this is a mistake and no prosecution should take place, think of this situation:

A male college freshmen (let's say he's from a wealthy family, has good grades, has never had legal issues before) under the age of 21 goes to a party and drinks enough alcohol to have a BAL over the limit. For the sake of storytelling, let's say this person's never drank alcohol before, and therefore does not know the feeling of being drunk. Now the student gets behind the wheel of a car to drive home, and on the way runs headfirst into an opposing car (in there lane), killing an infant girl in the backseat of that car, while (miraculously?) not severly injuring (phsyically) the mother, who was driving. Let's even say the mother was on her way from picking up donuts and dropping her child off at daycare before heading into work. The college student of course walks away, probably because they were too innebriated to actually get hurt in such an incident.

All those against this ladies prosecution...are you equally against prosecuting this college student? After all, it was clearly a mistake, he certainly didn't intend to kill the little girl. He was in all accounts, a good person, so he'll surely "live with such pain" the rest of his life. Is that it? You don't feel that he needs to be tried in a criminal court for his actions? How about a civil suit I wonder? How many of you, placed in the mother from my story's shoes would choose to not sue this student and his family (and be honest, you're most likely American after all...and nowadays, sueing is pretty much what we do)?

Finally, if you're still not convinced that the state clearly needs to file criminal charges against this lady...what if it was the babysitter who forgot the child? Would that make a difference in your minds?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J Green, Mesa, AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:49:23 GMT

It is truly ashame that this child died and obviously the mother must be feeling the pain, but it is a sad day when a Police Officer who accidentaly forgets his K-9 in his hot car (in Chandler, AZ) dies and that police officer is arrested and booked into jail, but a mother who kills her own child is free to go because of her emotional suffering. Give me a break. It is sad that dogs are thought more of than children.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Shawna S., St. John, IN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:49:28 GMT

My heart goes out to this family. Especially the mother. How horrible she obviously feels and any of us would if your child had died. It was a terrible accident and those who are judging her so harshly I hope you are checking yourself to make sure you have never ever done anything accidental to hurt your own children. Even something so innocent as laying your infant on their stomach you could be causing them to die from SIDS. As mothers we should be helping to support this woman, not tear her down even more. She realizes she caused her daughters death and what's more is she is beating herself up more than any of us could ever do to her. She is being punished, she is punishing herself and probably will for the rest of her life. Let's hope that she does come through this for the sake of her five year old daughter, who desperately needs her mommy now as well.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Regina Dodd, Charlottesville, Virginia — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:50:06 GMT

We watched in horror the news of this child's torturous death that is being said to have been an accident.
Our entire office is confused at the news anchors comment that said this was hard to watch....?! The Mom doesnt seem that upset to us, infact she takes time to glance up at the camera and then begins the tears again. Then, she is mentally capable of already saying that she will return to work-etc. If you lost a child that you truly loved and wanted you would not be able to speak as calmly as she does and make future plans so promptly. She should recieve the normal punishment by law and certainly has no business being in a role around others children when she cant even take care of her own-in fact killing one to date. I can't believe that people at this school will allow this woman to return. She should be so heartbroken that she is unable to return. Again, we dont see a woman that is upset- really.
She must be related to someone there to be able to get away with this. What suffering that poor child went through....unthinkable.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Linda Stinson Scottsville Ky — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:51:12 GMT

This is a wake-up call to everyone to get their priorities in order. It seems pretty obvious in this situation that the mother's job was the priority. She didn't forget the doughnuts, seemingly she was so consumed with her job, that she wasn't focused on the important task at hand of caring for her child. I'm not judging her as bad, just stating the facts. Parents are to busy to care for their children properly if their attentions are somewhere else when they are with their children. Every time something like this happens God is screaming out to all those other parents WAKE-UP and see what is important! As a society we must put our children as the highest priority in our lives, second only to GOD. This same principle holds true to our young generation if they are not given the feeling of importance.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jackland McGlinsey Elkhart, IN. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:51:54 GMT

I watch your show every morning and do not often speak out but I was deeply offended by your report on the mother who left the toddler in her van for 8 hours while at work. We have become a society that practices double standards for those who have what we consider the American dream education, money and all the material comforts that life has to offer. The comment that your show made to down play the actions of this mother was offensive to every mother out there that does not have a college education or prestigious job. I believe your show's comments were that this mother's actions were due in part to having being higher educated and the over scheduling of her time. I beg to differ it is all about prioritizing and our children should always come first. Evidently her job and buying donuts was at the foremost in her priories on that day. I am so sick of watching the news and hearing about the people that have money and social clout that do not have to be made accountable for their actions. ( OJ,Paris, Linsey and many more) My ex-daughter-n-law (high school grd.) works in production working between 40-60 hours a week. My grand children have a full schedule of school, church activities and then band,various sports,plays, cheer leading practices. This super mom works 40 plus hours of work comes home each night cleans house makes dinner runs errands etc.and always makes sure that her children have all the opportunities that she can provide for them. On rare occasions when she has to work over or she cannot get her children to an activity due to work, she gets on the phone and calls family members for help because her children are her first priority in her life and that is the way it should be! It is bad enough that this Ohio woman will not have to suffer any consciences for her highly educated stupidity but to down play or make excuses for the lost of a child's life is just incomprehensible. I feel evidently this woman is not capable of juggling her job/family and should should perhaps think of going to a less demanding job or maybe hiring a nanny since it is quite clear that she is not capable of doing both.That was a horrible way to die! Think about being in an oven at 100-150 degrees and having your internal organs baked slowly! This child will not get a second chance and I can only hope the people in Ohio feel as I do and ridicule this woman for a long time.

Disgusted in Indiana,
Jackland McGlinsey

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

m smith tyler,tx — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:52:35 GMT

I believe that you can not forget your child in the car for no no no reason at all. I have a white little dog and I cannot forget him in the car. The same thing happen, town a police officer left his daughter in the truck and forgot about her too. And she died and nothing happen to him he said he forgot but you just cannot forget for no reason at all. The person leaving a child in the car should get punished....

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Konetta Green — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:54:03 GMT

I think that this woman should be ashamed of herself. I am a 24 year old mom. I have a three year old daughter, and I am 31 weeks pregnant with my son. I work full-time and attend school part time. I have an almost impossible schedule for a woman my age but I must say that I would Never forget my baby! She has always come first. I think this woman should be punished and I agree with everyone who says that she should not be working in a school system.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Robert Gentile — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:54:07 GMT

Leave her alone ! She is suffering enough pain as it is! People need to offer sympothy for others. If they did, maybe this country would'nt be as messed up as it is ! 'NUFF SAID Give her a shoulder to cry and lean on for support.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tammy, Sanford, FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:54:42 GMT

We had a similar situation happen in the Orlando area this week. It makes my blood run cold. Mom works for the city so it is deamed a "terrible accident." I agree, it is a terrible accident, BUT, I think we have some social barriers to overcome. I question whether the punishment would be the same for the poverty stricken parent working three jobs just to keep the family together. I kind of doubt it.

Maybe I was trained early on to always look in the back of my car before getting in for my own safety, but I have also trained myself over the years to look in the back for my kids' safety. The nagging fear of this very thing always serves as a reminder to take the time to look. I'm less interested in what this mother is going to have to live with than what we can do to prevent these horrible deaths and protect children.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

nancy Yoree, Castle Rock, CO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:55:30 GMT

I am so broken hearted over this story. I cannot imagine the pain that the woman is feeling but I can see how it could possibly happen to anyone. Not that there is an excuse for what she did, it was painfully irresponsible and negligent-but it was an honest accident and horrible mistake. Women today are pushed to their limits with responsibilities of work and family and this poor child and family suffered the ultimate consequence. us all pray for hard working mothers out there so this tragedy doesn’t happen to them.
May God be with her as she tries to cope with what she's done. Let

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J.Fournier, Piercefield, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:55:42 GMT

In all the response I have read, there is none that portray one of the most terrible aspects of cases such as this. In today's world, the frantic race to get just one more financial gain has left our children little more than orphans. When we go back to Mom staying home and taking care of the responsibilities of raising the children she has willingly produced, after ll that is a career that she opted for hen she had them, maybe some of these tradgedies will cease to happen. Just one old ladies opinion. What is the greatest tragedy here? The need for outside child care? Or the opportunity to stay home and be a responsible parent?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

KB, Philadelphia, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:55:48 GMT

Where was the baby when the mother stopped to get the donuts? Was the baby left alone in the car then as well?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Agustin Moreno (Dad for life), Chula Vista, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:56:08 GMT

As a Californian who sees this day in and day out, it amazes me that this doesn't happen more often. We as people are so consumed with career and routine, forget that their are more important things in life. We need to wake up and re-evalute the priorities of of our lives. This beautiful child will never run on the grass; never go to school; never attend prom. We have turned into a society that lives for work and schedule. What about the little ones who seek our care, time, and protection. We need to slow down ensure their safety give them a hug in the morning, kiss them as though its the last time, and never forget that they are the single most import thing that we should be concerned with, afterall WE brought them into the world and we are responsible them; always!
P.S. Don't forget kiss your teens, they're babies also.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tonya Amato, Thornton, CO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:56:36 GMT

I feel that no mother should forget their child. As one of my friends said, how can you not think of your child at least once a day? Especially at that age. Personally I feel they shoud lock her up forever, who wants to have someone this forgetfull in charge of children, heck what else might she forget.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kim Lekko, Port Richey FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:57:42 GMT

This is a horrific tragedy. This mother will be guilt-ridden for the rest of her life. She will most likely suffer severe depression, probably resulting in great consequences. I am a mother of one and a care-giver of a one and three year old whom I would never forget in the car or anywhere else. If their parents are even five minutes late in bringing them to my home I call to see where they are. Why didn't this childs babysitter call to see where she was? Whether she was picking donuts or changing her routine another way is irrelevent. I am not sure if punishing her further, criminally will make a difference. She is already suffering especially with all the media attention, everyone knows this person. Putting her in jail cannot bring her daughter back and what about her other child and what he/she is going through.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

tom m, dallas, tx — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:58:04 GMT

it's very easy to judge someone until you're on the other end of the stick.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mother of son — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:58:25 GMT

It's hard to imagine that a mother would put her co-workers first before her child. I understand that you have a professioal life as well as personal life, but personal life should comes first when it comes to children. I do think the co-workers would have understood her situation if she was late attending a meeting. I'M GLAD WE HAVE A UNDERSTANDING AND FORGIVING GOD.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

kpenn — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:58:48 GMT

This is a horrible death: I read a story I will never forget concerning leaving a child in a car. It was about a spelunker (cave explorer) who PURPOSELY left his kid in the car (in the shade AT THE TIME!) to go spelunking with a buddy. Some six/eight hours later, the kid is dead. But the ONE thing that I CANNOT forget is the story mentioned that the child was missing chunks of hair and scalp because he/she pulled them out in pain in frustration as he/she was cooked alive.

It is a horrible way to die.

And after the birth of my first, on the way to work I was surprised to notice my daughter in the back. So accustomed was I to driving WITHOUT dropping a child off, I had forgotten. No foul, no fault. I was lucky. Can it happen? Yes. But there is a RADICAL difference in what likely happened to the assist. principal and what the spelunker did.

However, that being said, yes, I believe there are some really sick people who may see this as a means of disposing of kids...copy cat criminals are definitely a plague on our society!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Stephanie Jacobs, New Haven CT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:00:16 GMT

Are you all CRAZY or something? This is a tragic story and my heart goes out to that poor woman. We have ALL done something stupid and forgotten our daily routines and it is easy to forget. Now forgetting my child is something I think I will NEVER be able to do but to pass judgement and to wish harm or hurt on this woman is not the answer. Instead we need to pray for her and hope that she can recover from this. Can you imagine her life right now? Knowing that she is responsible for the death of her daughter? That punishment alone is far worse than any jail could ever give her. I don't know how many of you out there believe in God, but I do and the one I serve does not let children suffer. That baby was taken into the arms of an angel and did not suffer at all. God spares little children. So all of you on here talking about what they should do to that woman, think again. She needs our prayers. Someone needs to put her under suicide watch because she could end it out of grief and guilt.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

liz columbus, ne — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:00:28 GMT

I do feel for this mother. I have an almost two year old myself and this would never happen. I take care of my child, work 50 hours a week, my boyfriend and father of my child goes to school taking 16 credit hours and has a full time job working 40 plus hours a week. There is not a day that goes by that I sit at my desk at work and think about what my child is doing. The mother was so busy that she forgot that she did not take her child to daycare. I dont buy it. Nothing is more important than a child who needs you for everthing. And just a question for thought, why did the daycare provider not notice that the child had not arrived? Not that it is the daycare providers job to keep track of the child but if I'm running late and have not called to let my provider know that my child will still be coming, my provider is calling to ask where my child is at.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Marie Lebrun, Linden, New Jersey — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:00:39 GMT

I honestly think that it was a mistake but i also think that no mother would ever leave their child in a car and forget about them because they're so focused on getting donuts for their co-workers. I'm only 19 years old and i have an 8 month old son and i'm very busy with school work and going out and stuff but i never forget about my son. Even when i'm so busy i always seem to think about his smile and the way he laughs and everything we do together because he's my whole world. There is no excuse for that mother to even say that she was too busy to remember that her own child was in the car because she surely remembered that she had to get donuts for her co-workers and trust me my child is way important than anything and anyone on this earth!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa, Hartford, CT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:01:19 GMT

Mistakes happen, yes, but to leave one's own child in the backseat of a car ALL DAY??? Please...if this woman was of another race and didn't drive her Mercedes she would be locked up and punished in prison. THIS IS CHILD ABUSE. I am not a mom, but a step-mom, and could NEVER forget my step children. God help this woman...and to think she works with our youth? I seriously think she should be committed. There is no amends for killing your own child, and no excuse. Has she been drug tested? Does she have any financial troubles? What kind of incurance policy does she have on her child? More will be revealed. We should not be so blind as a society to think that this was an accident.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mary, Clewiston, FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:01:28 GMT

To the one's who says you shouldn't judge , come on now. She went back to her vechicle several times, and she says she didn't realize her baby was still in there. The donuts sat right beside her. My little boy is 2 and if he stays at home with his dad, I still automatically turn and look in the back seat. LOCK HER UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Libby M., Richmond, VA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:02:23 GMT

It's a sad world that we live in when a mother forgets her daughter is in the car but she remembers that the doughnuts are in there. I was a single parent for a number of years and NEVER was so busy that I didn't know where my children were!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sana Powers Elkhart, IN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:02:46 GMT

I can honestly say that this woman will carry that burden for her entire life, the only comfort would be friends, family, church and prayer as the sands of time continue, her daughter will be gone, but not forgotten, to take away her freedom would be an absolute injustice.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jason Monroe, LA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:04:20 GMT

There is NO EXCUSE for leaving a child in a car. Did she get the child out of the car to go buy the donuts? I don't care if it was a mistake she killed that child!!! And watching her on the tape "I want to die", "I'm the most incompetent person". They said she plans to go back to work!! She should be in JAIL!!!!!!!! How can this not set a precedent to all other people who leave children in the car. It makes no sense to me to let her go about her life, yes she'll feel bad and hate herself but you know what she can do that in JAIL TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Bob Z, Buffalo NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:05:07 GMT

Wasn't sure if it was already mentioned here but similiar incident just happened in the Western NY-area over the summer. Mom went to work, forgot to drop baby off at daycare & baby spent whole day in the car. The baby died but the District Attorney chose to not press charges

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Renee Jacksonville, Fl — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:05:08 GMT

Hello!!! I don't care how hectic your day is, your job is or your life is..NOBODY forgets their baby is the car!! She got the doughnuts from the back of the truck and didn't even stop to think one time..OH SHOOT I'M FORGETTING SOMETHING!!! MY BABY!!! Come on.. Save the crocodile tears..

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Stacey, Pottstown, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:05:18 GMT

I go back and forth on this one. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about that poor little girl. I have a three year old daughter myself. Then the thought of how horrific it would be to realize your mistake after it was too late. But then, honestly??? How can you forget your child? I can barely stand the thoughts of putting my child into the hot car before running the AC for a minute or two. It the unimmanagable that this would have been purposeful!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Shannon, Topeka, KS — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:06:07 GMT

It is pure tragedy and this woman will pay for the rest of her life. Anyone who has lost a child no matter the circumstances can tell you. Would jail make a difference in this instance? I seriously doubt it. Would it tear apart a family who, for all we know, is very loving? Yes it would. Is that fair for the other child or the husband? Nope. I am amazed at the outcry. Had this been her father instead of mother, would as many of you have demanded jail time? I would bet not. Yes she should have remembered, but life is hectic and obviously she is not the only person to have done this. When you have a normal routine where your mind/body is on autopilot and you deviate from that routine it is easy to forget things, even something as important as your child.

A better punishment than jail time and forever ruining a family. (No, she will never endanger her other child in the same manner or any manner, she has learned her lesson) Community service would be a much better alternative. Speaking to families with new babies or who are pregnant about the risks and the behaviors leading to leaving a child alone in a hot car would save more lives than her spending even a year in jail.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Marilene Balotro Miami, FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:06:22 GMT

There is no question that it is heart-breaking to see the mother in the video. Being a busy mom myself, I can totally relate to "doing-everything-for-everyone" mentality. But the point is she commited a terrible mistake. And as a result of that mistake, a wonderful child died. She should be punished for that. We should think of the future impact of not prosecuting this mother. This would send a wrong message to the public that it is okay to leave a baby in the car to die of heat exhaustion, and later on say it was an honest mistake! That is just absurd.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jane P, Athens OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:06:26 GMT

Is it just me, or does she appear to be playing to camera in her interview?? She looks at the camera several times while throwing back her hair--and also, if you had just caused the death of your child, would you call yourself 'incompetent'?? I wonder if this is an extreme case of Munchausen's that went really, really wrong. If so, she is getting just what she wanted, if not she need serious psychological help.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Elizabeth, Philipsburg, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:06:51 GMT

I just can't imagine this happening. Every morning I drop my 3-year-old daughter at her sitters. I can tell you that if I failed to show, my sitter would call me. Plus at some point during the day the mother had to give a thought to her child. I know that the mother will have to live with this for the rest of her life, but she still needs to be prosecuted criminally. If ever there was a case of child neglect/endangerment, this is surely it. I will pray for her and her family.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Shelley Stephens, Charlottesville, Virginia — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:07:12 GMT

I am a mother and not sure that I understand how you can put your child in her car seat, drive to a bakery where you get out of the car - leaving the child in the car- one is to assume, put "donuts" in the back of your SUV, get back in the car - still forgetting that you have a child in the back seat, drive to the school where you are paid to look over children's well being, back your car up to an entrance, get out of the car - still not seeing your child in the back seat, open the back of your SUV yet again, getting the "donuts" taking them into the school - still not realizing your child is in the back seat, get back in your SUV shut the door and drive to a parking spot where yet, once again you get out of the vehicle, collect your belongings and go into work for 8 hours, still forgetting that you have a 2 year old daughter sitting in your vehicle dying a horrible death. This is an unthinkable crime.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

joanie Eatonville, WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:07:49 GMT

I don't understand how ANYONE could forget they have a child with them. I raised 4 children and am now raising 2 g.children and I have never left them unattended in a car or anywhere else. When they were small I often, while driving, glanced back to see they were ok...and I always took them with me when I left the vehicle, even if it was only to pay for gas, whether they were asleep or not. To me a hectic schedule, job, whatever, there's just NO excuse for this kind of thing happening. If a person is so involved with their job that they forget their children, perhaps they should not have one of the two. Would I want my children in this person's care? NO!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Marilene Balotro Miami, FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:08:29 GMT

This is not a question of whether Brenda is a good mom or not. This is a question of responsibility. She is responsible for the care of that child. She is responsible for her death. She should be punished.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Karen M, Saline, MI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:08:59 GMT

Once, I might have been self-righteous about this, congratulating myself for loving my child more than this woman.

However, I think we underestimate the power of routine and what can happen when you alter them.

When my son was an infant I took him to his caregiver most days, but not all days (my husband dropped him off sometimes). The first part of my trip was the same regardless of my destination, but on days when I dropped him off, I made a different turn halfway to work.

There were several days when I had him in my car for the dropoff, but mistakenly headed to work instead of making the turn. Never did I completely forget him--in fact, I always remembered within a block or two and grumbled at myself for for having to turn around. But it made an impression on me. Never did I forget I was a mother. Never did I stop loving my child. But it was the power of my routine that sometimes made me forget whether it was my dropoff day or not.

In a situation where the child was quietly asleep, and the configuration of the car interior were such that it wasn't easy to see into the carseat....well, I can understand how these tragedies can happen. If your mind told you your child was safely at daycare like every other morning, you wouldn't think about it again. It sends a shiver down my spine.

It's too bad the daycare provider didn't call to inquire about the unexpected absence. It's certainly not their responsibility, but in this case it would have been a safety net.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Vickie, South Carolina — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:09:25 GMT

First of all I'd like to say how sorry I feel for the family of this child, I cannot imagine the devastation they must all feel. As for the mother of this child, I have no sympathy at all! In fact it really makes me angry to sit and watch her cry and say how she had so many other people to take care of that she couldn't even remember her own child! In my book this woman is no better than Susan Smith who strapped her 2 little boys in the backseat of a car and watched them roll into the lake and drown 14 years ago! I am slowly losing faith in a judicial system that simply slaps a mother on the hand and says now don't do that again honey, you know you can't leave your child in the car for 8 hours in 150 degree tempatures. There should be punishment implemented on this woman to some degree, the first being that her other child should be removed from her custody, she should definitely be let go from her job and never allowed to work anywhere where the well being of children is her job, and second maybe she should sit in a hot car for a few hours herself so she will always remember what her child felt like before she died.Maybe then she would think about what is more important in her life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lizzie — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:09:32 GMT

As I read these, I became angrier and angrier at those who were so quick to condemn this woman for what was a mistake. A very, very bad mistake with fatal consequences, yes but still a mistake. I planned to say that I am a mother of 3 with a very hectic life who is often thinking of the things I have to do that day and not paying attention to much else and could, unfortunately, see this same situation as a very real possibility for me. I planned on defending this woman to the hilt.....until I read the entry from Jeremy in Minneapolis. Indeed, she did back up to the school and I cannot imagine her backing up without looking behind her even if it's in the rearview mirror. That small fact brings up too many suspicions for me to now defend her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jake B, Pottstown, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:11:37 GMT

My mother raised 5 children and at one time had three jobs, since our father didn't want to provide for us when she left him because of abuse. I can't think of a single incident when any of us were left alone. There are two many cases of this, so why aren't parents learning from it? One father left his kid in the car while he was inside playing video games. And she's an assistant principal? I wouldn't want any kids at her school.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J.Hanks, Syracuse, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:11:43 GMT

This is absolutely horrifying! The fact that this woman is not being prosecuted makes me sick. One person stated all the definitions of a child, neglect, crime, murder etc .. she fits the bill. She should be charged. This is a crime. Period. The law should not look at it as an "ooops", the poor mother. We should let her go. Yes, the poor mother, but she committed a crime. Take the emotion out of it and look at the facts. The definition of neglect .. we arrest people for neglecting their animals, she neglected her child and she DIED. What do they not get in this case.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Laurie V., Harriman, TN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:11:46 GMT

I am absolutely heart broken for this mother. Although there is no excuse for the horribly irresponsible mistake that this mother made, she is still human. Even though we have all heard the news reports, unless you've walked a mile in her shoes, you really don't know what was going on in her life. The bible tells us that we are not to judge others,& I feel that she will be serving a life sentence imposed upon herself without the whole world crucifying her. Putting her in jail would serve no harder punishment than what she will already be living with. I hope I never have to feel the grief that she is feeling by losing a child. I think we all need to keep her & her family in our prayers & ask God to watch over them all.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Pat Smit, Grove City, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:12:38 GMT

What a terrible terrible mistake - one has to wonder how this mother would feel if someone, her babysitter, for instance had forgotten the child was in the back seat???? Would she be saying oh, it was just a mistake, she was busy picking up donuts for her coworkers and doing all the other things we all do all day. It is not my place to judge - that comes from a much higher source - it is just tragic that an innocent baby, who could do nothing to help herself, had to die because the mother "forgot her". I question a school who would allow this individual to deal with other peoples children when she cannot remember her own. How sad it is to think what this child went endured during those 8 hours and how sad that her mother apparently did not think of her at all during that time!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Cheryl, California — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:14:21 GMT

I have read many of the above comments and agree with the majority of respondents. I too find it extremely difficult to believe a mother/father could leave their child in a car for eight hours and not ever remember they had done so. More than likely the mother should be prosecuted for at aleast gross negligence in the death of a minor child. I feel bad for the mother but very heart sickened for the dead child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Brenda Schwartz — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:14:47 GMT

I am outraged by the fast pace society has become. Slow down everybody..why didnt daycare call the mom to see why the child was not there? There is no excuse for this EVER!! this is a helpless human being that sat and suffered all day..horrible!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Carolyn Garcia, Pasadena, TX. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:14:54 GMT

It is not for us to judge her. God will turn this tragedy into something good.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Elizabeth P., Rapid City, SD — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:15:07 GMT

I believe she has suffered enough! I can remember one time when my daughter was young I forgot to drop her off at daycare. I got all the way to work and realized she was still with me! In today's hectic world it could happen to any one of us! This is a very tragic accident that happened. What good would sending this poor mom to prison do?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dan Bush Belding,Mich — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:15:45 GMT

I think the reason they didn't charge her is she has money.If this was a person that wasn't well off they would have been put in jail within minutes of the police showing up.This shows if you have money you can get away with anything.I want to know when donuts became more important then our kids.She should get a minimum of 5 years in prison,and the prosecutor should lose his job.Where is the justice for the baby.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

C. Knight, Savannah, Georgia — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:16:52 GMT

In a world where a man can be investigated by the federal government, prosecuted, jailed for up to 20 years, or fined thousands of dollars, not to mention have his fledgling career torpedoed on charges of animal cruelty, i.e. dogfighting, one would think that a woman who is so neglegent of a two-year-old child that the child is suffocated in an SUV-oven would at least be charged with manslaughter by the courts.
Is she being let off because she isn't famous enough to be made an example of to the community? Is Michael Vick too famous to be allowed off for being involved in dog fighting? Or, God forbid, our country's legal system now values the lives of animals over humans.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Melissa Saltz, Hendersonville, NC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:16:52 GMT

There have been two cases of heat-related deaths of children and one of a police dog shown on msnbc.com. The North Charleston K-9 units Patrol Cars are equipped with a special system that constantly monitors the vehicle's interior temperature. Should the temperature become too hot, the system activates the vehicle's horn and lights, rolls the back windows down while sending a message to the handler's pager of the dangerous temperature. Perhaps all cars should have this feature. It would prevent alot of unnecessary deaths.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mother Of Three, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:17:00 GMT

The child died. The mother is at fault. The law does not allow other criminals off because they are 'sorry'. Prosecute her, its your job, District Attorney! The jury is the one who decides on mercy, not you.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Voight Chance — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:17:39 GMT

I think the failure to indict this woman is dangerous. I don't, for one minute, believe she forgot. What kind of a parent does that?? No, she did this deliberately. There's a lot of parents out there that secretly would like their children to go away. They went and had them but decided after a while that it was too much to handle. Failure to indict will only encourage other parents out there who are felling the same way.

The real travesty is that I had just read an article this morning of a cop who was charged after leaving his police dog in his car for 11 hours in 109 degree heat. The dog died. So we charge a cop for killing this dog but we let a woman go who killed her child the same way.

I once witnessed a man who left an infant in his car unattended in a parking lot. Someone called the cops and a cop showed up and was ready to smash the window to get the baby out when the guy suddenly showed up. I thought it very fishy because he was white and the baby was an Asian boy. Sounds like he was watching his girlfriend's or wife's baby from a previous relationship and it looked to me like he was trying to find a way to get this kid out of his life. Needless to say, the cop read this guy the riot act and almost arrested him but decided to let him go but he took the guy's name and all. "I'll be watching you," I heard the cop say. So, evidently, he found it as odd as I did. I wonder how the mother would have reacted if she found out her son had died by this idiot's neglect.

I don't care what anyone says, people who forget their pets or loved in hot cars do so deliberately. Somehow, they wanted them gone from their lives.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tamica Tolliver-Burnett — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:18:15 GMT

Please pray for this woman and stop judging her. The loss of a child is already difficult to deal with now just imagine if your actions caused death. You all can say what you would never do but none of us are exempt from making awful mistakes. The tragedy was all in God's devine plan.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jack M — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:19:14 GMT

she doesn't get any punishment? and there are people up in arms about Michael Vick and the dogs that died? they are ready to lynch Michael Vick, but this woman obviously had her priorities confused. she should not be involved with schools and children with her attitude, unless she does community service to show teenagers that there is more to life than sex, or in her case, donuts. there is no excuse for abuse of kids, which this was, or abuse of animals, but it is ridiculous that this type of thing keeps happening to children. maybe the focus of schools should at one point be on raising kids and being responsible for their welfare.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

HOLLY CORPUS CHRISTI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:19:35 GMT

How can a parent forget their child is in the back seat? It just doesn't make sense. Don't you think that once she got to work and saw the other children, she would of REMEMBERED!!! After all day working at a school where there are lots and lots of children. There is no excuse especially donuts. This lady deserves evertthing she can get because SHE KILLED HER CHILD, NO ONE ELSE DID, SHE IS RESPONDSIBLE!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Rachel — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:20:48 GMT

I think those of you who judge this woman harshly have no sense of empathy or that we are humans and we make mistakes.

Most people in this world, are trying to do their best, and sometimes life gets the better of them. Mistakes happen, even resulting with a child's death. Did the mother intend for it to happen, NO!!!
It was a mistake with a costly lesson. The mother is obviously remorseful, and I believe she doesn't need any help in feeling worse.

It's not for us to judge, leave it up to God, who I'm sure is a loving one, who would ask us as humans to forgive this woman, she's already been sentenced to a life without her daughter. She deserves to be loved and forgiven like any other human who is obviously so remorseful, and with such grievance...she probably can't possibly get to a lower point, and her other daughter needs her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Donna, CT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:22:32 GMT

How do you forget aout your child, especially when they're in the back seat? There is no forgetting. This is not accidential. A few second, maybe even a minute or two could be excuseable but 8 hours? Please. This has opened doors for other parents who may feel "burdened" by their children to "accidentially" leave their kids in hotboxes for hours, resulting in their deaths but they'll be able to get off because of a loophole in the law. When you're a parent your child is at the forefront of your mind. You forget to take the dog out but you always remember to change your baby's diaper. You forget to have a meal yourself but you always remember to feed your child. You leave a chocolate bar in the car and it melts to the seat but you always remember that your kid is there. People have their kids taken away from them by the Department for Children and Families for less than this. And where was she parked? An open field? Did no one passing by realize that there was a baby in the car or did they not care either. An accident is having your kid fall off the changing table or them bumping their head on a table, not broiling them in a car for 8 hours. Good mothers don't forget that they heaved a child out of their vagina and leave them to bake but, apparantly, to some donut are just that much more important and worthy is space in the brain.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mike R, St. Louis — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:23:18 GMT

I bet this mother would have also never thought she would forget her child either. Today's world is so full of things to do and we forget the simple things. Like family. Very sad. Howterrible it would be if one of those casting a stone of her quilt would have this happen to them? Maybe God has her suffer for the rest of us to remember our children in our busy lilves. I pray this mom will recover and the rest of us will never forget. The child is with God now.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kassie, TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:23:25 GMT

This case makes me very sad because it shows once again how this country holds children's lives at a lesser value than adult's. If it had been a disabled adult or elderly person left in the backseat of a car for 8 hot hours I would imagine the consequences would legally be much worse for the "negligent" one who "forgot" them there. As adults it is our responsibility to speak up for those who are too young to have a voice.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joe G. Independence, Mo. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:24:01 GMT

It states in the story that she is an assistant principal. This concerns me...if she can space off THAT HER KID IS IN THE CAR, is she really the right person for a leadership role in education? I've lost a child at birth, i know what kind of pain she is going through. It's a shame that her co-workers donuts were so much more important to remember, than the life that was sitting in the back seat.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

S. Smith, Pueblo, CO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:24:48 GMT

It does seem like she had a few chances to "notice" the child in the car. When she got the donuts and like one man pointed out, when she was backing up. Not only that but I know that when I go to work (and trust me, I am VERY forgetful!) I think back on things that happened in the morning and I constantly wonder how my kids (who are now 7 & 9) are doing in school and wondering if everything is ok. Especially when my children were the age of this little girl, I worried constantly about how they were doing in daycare and I believe at that point I would've suddenly realized, "Yikes! My baby's in the car!” At the most that would've taken an hour after settling in at work before I thought of my kids and wondered how they were doing at that time. One time I was delivering meals for our meals on wheels program when I stopped at the school to watch one of my kids in a program and figured I would just stay there long enough to watch their part and then finish my deliveries. I had been at the school about an hour when I suddenly realized I had left the food in the car and elderly people were going hungry! I had turned my phone off and when I checked quite a few of the people had called in wondering about their meals. I felt horrible and I still feel the guilt when I think about it but my point is that sometime within an hour I thought back to the things I had to do that day or had already done and I remembered. I don’t want to criticize or judge this woman because we can all forget important stuff but I do have a hard time believing that she didn’t think about her baby even once throughout the day.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Susan OK — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:24:53 GMT

negligent homicide. that's what they should be charged with at the very least.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Norma Rivera Ogden, UT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:25:34 GMT

My heart goes out to this mother. My thoughts go out to the little girl who could not get help and die a horrible death. I hope that this mom is asking God for forgiveness. He will forgive her, but the earthly laws should do a better job. This was major neglect. A crime is a crime, and she is a criminal whether you like it or not. A life has been lost over this. I raised three daughters practically all on my own, and I don't imagine living without one of them. Our family should be our number one priority, not our job, or pleasing others. I pray, that she can find peace, and joy in the midst of the storm.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

CONCERNED MOTHER, KY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:25:50 GMT

I NORMALLY DO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLES, BUT THIS ONE BLOWS MY MIND..I AM A MOTHER OF 2 MYSELF, AND I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN ABOUT ONE OF MY CHILDREN, EVER. HOW COULD YOU, WHETHER THEY WAS ASLEEP OR AWAKE. BY THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE NOT FILING CHARGES, THE ARE SAYING IT IS OKAY FOR MOTHERS, FATHERS, OR WHO EVER TO FORGET ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN. WHEN ANY IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THE PARENTS ARE TO BLAME, PARENTS ARE TO BLAME DAILY FOR NOT SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, NOT TEACHING THEIR CHILDREN, IF THEIR CHILDREN ARE UN-RULY, PARENTS ARE TO BE THE BLAME FOR MOST ALL OUR CHILDREN DO OR DO NOT DO. SO WHY SHOULD SHE NOT BE BLAMED FOR "FORGETTING ABOUT HER CHILD". COME ON..SHE WORKS WITH CHILDREN DAILY, DOES SHE FORGET ABOUT THEM??? I AM SORRY I JUST COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH HER GETTING BY WITH "FORGETTING HER CHILD"....

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dan Mc Farlane Stamford, CT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:26:12 GMT

1) put her in a locked car for 8 hours; cover all of the windows so that she can not see out of the car; maintain the heat at 100 degrees +--this is what her daughteh experiences.
2) At the end of the 8 hours, take her out of the car and have her sterilized ( no more children).
3) impose a life time ban on her working in any school system.

This Woman is one sick puppy!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michelle, Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:26:28 GMT

What I find shocking is that a police officer here in Phoenix was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment when he left his police dog in the car and the dog died. Now this lady is not being charged for leaving her child in the car??? Doesn't make any sense to me. Is a dog's life now more important than a child's. Crazy society we live in.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Geoff, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:26:55 GMT

No excuse. People shouldn't have children when they aren't able to care for them and put their needs before their own. There is simply no excuse for this - I can't believe she didn't notice. Talk about being self-absorbed.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jean Hacker — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:27:18 GMT

I can somewhat relate to leaving a child in a car seat when you get distracted, arriving at work when you are distracted...but as everyone on this board has mentioned, checking the backseat before you leave your vehicle is priority. Many years ago, when my child was less than a year old I drove to work, wondered why I was so early, got ready to exit the vehicle and when I looked in backseat, there she was sound asleep, which then I had to drive to the daycare. Thank God I found her. I never again exited a car and not check the backseat after that experience.
I believe this case is tragic and believe there is 50% negligence and 50% bad judgment on the part of the mother. The loss of a child is devastating to this mom, but I agree she should not be working around other people's kids if she couldn't care for her own properly. My sympathies to the mother and legal officials who will handle this case.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Erica R. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:27:33 GMT

I have NEVER written a response to anything before but this time I just feel I have to speak up!!! Yes...it is such a VERY VERY STUPID MISTAKE!!! I can not fathom how anyone no matter how busy or hectic can possibly FORGET their child in the car. I, as a single mother of 2, constantly TALK to my children especially in the car. Do these parents not do the same? If they do not talk and communicate to their children in the car, I can just imagine how ignored they must be at home. Even when my childre are sleeping in the back seat, I ALWAYS start to wake them up by talking to them minutes before we're arrive at our destination.

I also have to state one more thing that IRRITATES me to pieces!!! Yes...this mother is truely agonizing over her STUPID mistake, however I would like to ask why the "St. Louis Doctors" (husband and wife) did not receive this much media attention when just a few weeks ago they both forgot their 7 month old baby girl in the car who also suffered a horrendous and aggonizing death!

And lastly....I can only imagine the parents who can not have kids are thinking of these misfit parents!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sonya, Lawton, OK — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:28:07 GMT

I feel for this mother, the lost of a child, the pain of losing a child i can not imagine. She will forever be changed in ways that many of us will hopefully never know. BUT graping the donuts out of the BACK where the child was in the carseat. Come on how could you miss something like that???

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Morgan Locklear, Newport, Oregon — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:29:22 GMT

The possibility of killing her child wasn't an effective deturrent, therefore, the reality of killing her child cannot be an acceptable punnishment.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Amy, NH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:29:52 GMT

Concerning the comments suggesting this woman be jailed "forever"... Its interesting how many people can share their harsh criticism for this stranger that they do not know. Imagine if something like this happened within your family? My how the table would turn. Its called empathy and its obvious so many people out there do not have any. The pain and guilt this woman will have is forever, worse than any jail time. This family is shattered forever... maybe more time should be made towards activism and education for prevention rather than mean-spirited acusations. Throw your stones at real criminals.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

J Lynn Albuquerque NM — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:30:09 GMT

She should be prosecuted to the highest extent. This woman negligently left her young child in the car. I feel for the loss of the child and the family but it appears that this woman is going to get off because her doughnuts were more important than her child. I have a 7 month old that i drop off at the sitters, along with a middle school student and an elementary student that I need to get to school plus get myself to work on time. Never Ever Ever have I forgotten that i had to drop of the baby. I just find this womans behavior an excuse for what she did. Opps i changed my routine today. Forgot about the baby! There is already a record of her leaving her kids in the car unattended. I believe that her case needs to be re-opened and she needs to be charged. Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, Daycares, etc... can not continue to leave children in cars and not be prosecuted for these crimes. Yes, we all make mistakes but people to forget that you have a defenseless child in the car that can't get out themselves is UNEXCUSABLE.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Norma Rivera Ogden, UT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:30:17 GMT

I just had to write one more thing, my mother had 16 children, and 2 of them died from illnesses when they were 2 yrs. old, but she did everything she could to help them. For the rest of us 14 kids, she did a tremendous job. Washing other peoples clothes, cooking other peoples meals, cleaning other peoples homes, so she could feed her children. I guess not everyone can be a mother.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joe G. Independence, Mo. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:30:41 GMT

Faye, you make an EXCELLENT point....put your purse or briefcase next to the car seat, this way you will never miss your kid!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Barb B., Bend, OR — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:30:54 GMT

I think that more children have been killed by the "put the baby in the back seat" rule(where the baby is forgotten) than were killed by having the baby in the front passenger seat, facing the back.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

St. Louis — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:30:58 GMT

The same sort of tragedy just happened in my city a couple of weeks ago; the parents were exchanging the car in the middle of the night, it was the first night of their new routine, and each of them thought the other was going to/had already delivered the baby to daycare. Fortunately the law has so far resisted the clamor of strangers baying for these poor people's blood. The fact is that we all make mistakes at some point that could be tragic, whether it is forgetting our child or something else. I was reminded recently that last year, shortly after we moved, I backed out of the driveway and almost hit a woman pushing a stroller. I got in the car thinking that I could see the street and it was clear. I was wrong. If that woman hadn't been watching me and stopped, if she had pushed her stroller behind my car, I would have run over it. That would have turned the error from harmless to irreparable tragedy, but it wouldn't have made the error any less innocent. How many of you perfect mommies who would never forget your kids for a minute have switched lanes casually on a highway and heard a horn and screeching brakes behind you? It was only luck that you didn't kill a human being at that moment. If you are human, you have lapses; the fact that some lapses lead to tragedy while most do not is a matter of luck. If people have lapses because they have deliberately reduced their capacity (e.g., they are driving or caring for children while drunk or stoned) then they deserve to be punished. Otherwise, show some mercy, because you can never be sure that later in life it won't be you being led away from the worst moment of your life in handcuffs.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

ahg Lubbock,TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:32:01 GMT

i think that she should be charged. i dont think that she should just get away with it. this is a child that we are talking about. a 2 year old baby. you dont forget about your baby,especially to get some donuts.To the lady talking about thinking of us as motorist answering cell phones turning the radio you cant compare its a baby and i think she should be tried. you just dont forget your babys

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Angelica Rios, Devine, TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:32:12 GMT

I feel bad for this mother. Its so sad. But she should still face some punishment. At least probation or community service.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tamika, Missouri — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:33:17 GMT

I'm a young mom (24) and I have a 3 year old amazing son, I work full time and I attend college. I promise you that I never get out of my car without looking in the baskseat - i don't drive him to daycare without looking into the backseat at him over and over - talking with him or just making sure the sun isnt in his face if he is sleeping. I will not make any negative comments towards this woman and keep those feelings to myself - however - I have never stopped ANYWHERE that I left my son in the car for even 30 seconds. If I go to the gas station and I have to go inside - i bring him with me - sleeping or not, you never leave an unattended child in the car. The fact that she left her sleeping daughter inside the car while she went in to get donuts says enough about her ability to effectivly watch her child. If she had taken her dauther into the store with her when she got the donuts - and perhaps even let her pick one out for herself - I'm sure she would have not forgotten to take her to daycare - I dont think that any mother could make it 8 hours without thinking- - i dont remember dropping "katie" off at daycare today. Completely intentional or not, her daughter dies because she could not effectivly take care of her - and that is the whole point!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Laurie, Kingman Arizona — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:33:38 GMT

He who throws the first stone... Until you're in her shoes, do not judge. It is unfortunately, too often, a problem that seems to make the headlines every summer. Why would a mother of two want just one to die? Think logically people. God has forgiven her, hopefully in time she can forgive herself.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

tabitha bonsall, richfield, mn — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:33:46 GMT

My question is this... why did the daycare or babysitter call her and ask when the child will be dropped off. They do attendance I am sure that someone knew the girl was missing. Or, has this parent repeatedly not been respectful and not bother to call the sitter and say that we wont be there today. Regardless of if she is charged or not in heaven she will be charged and maybe then she can explain to her daughter the importance of donuts over life. A new logo perhaps give me life liberty or donuts. Lets all hug our kids tonight and tomorrow. I have 4 kids and never forgot one once. I can not excuse this womans actions and for her to be a higher official in schools is also something that needs to be re-considered. Goodness sakes she forget that she put someone in detention and left them there for the weekend.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

A New Daddy, Miami, Florida — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:34:43 GMT

This is a terrible tragedy. But sending this mother to prison will accomplish nothing. A few moments of carelessness and inattention have now lead to a lifetime of heartache for her. There is nothing to suggest this mother intended to harm her child. If this woman should be "punished," she should be required speak to new parents about the importance of paying attention to their children. Her example should certainly hit home, and maybe help prevent such tragedies from happenning in the future. Her little girl undeniably suffered a horrible death, but nothing will be gained by sending a grieving and guilt-ridden mother to prison. Our anger at her carelessness should be tempered by compassion for her unimaginable loss.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Teresa Frost, Council Bluffs, IA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:34:46 GMT

I must have have a different video. The one I saw didn't make me feel sorry for this woman at all. It just made me madder at her. I never heard her mention her daughter once and the crying seemed forced. And she wanted to make sure we knew she was going back to work? How could you ever go back to work at a school? It didn't make me feel sorry for her at all. I'll never understand a person being so busy picking up donuts she doesn't remember or see her child. She deserves some punishment. And of course we're judging someone we don't know. Isn't that what a jury does?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Pat M, Westerly, RI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:34:48 GMT

I am a mother of a very active 5yr and at times stresses me out to the limit but I can not understand how any parent whether in a hurry or not can forget a child in a car seat after they had placed them there to begin with. What is wrong with our laws that they can overlook such a horrible crime. I do realize that she didn't intentionally go out that day and say
"I'm going to leave my child in the car for 8hrs" but some type of punishment whether it be suspended sentence or probation should be considered. After all she is not an unintelligible person, obviously being an assistant principal for a middle school but it doesn't give her the right not to be accountable for this.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

t, waterford michigan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:35:06 GMT

As reading everything and being a mother of three working,coaching,being mom and a wife, you people take a step and remember how many times you have left your kids in the car because you needed milk and didn't want to take the time or forgot something in the house and didn't want to take them out. The only difference is that this lady is remembering it everyday of her life.In the world now it is easy to point figures at other people for their mistakes which turned out to be deadly,but with the mistakes that you make it becomes a different story.Ask your selves a question how would you want people to see you?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sol — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:35:13 GMT

I feel for this family my heart goes out to them. As a mother of a 1 1/2 almost 2 year old a part of me is disgusted with what this mother has done but another part of me can't help but to feel sorry for her...we are all human and yes we make mistakes of course at times we make mistakes that we can't fix but later on in life we learn from those mistakes. Things slip our minds sometimes I'm willing to admit that I'm not a perfect mother but who in this world is a perfect mother? There's no such thing. She made a mistake and now has to live with the gulit for the rest of her life...she should have checked the back seat to see whether or not her child was dropped off at day care, and if not then she should have taken her to day care and then have gone back to school for the meeting she could have even called the Middle School and said that she was running late. Every time my husband and I go out we constantly check the back seat to make sure that our daughter isn't in the car. If she had taken the time to realize the points that I have just made her 2 year old might still be alive right now.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michelle Lewis, Orlando, FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:35:55 GMT

My heart goes out to this woman, because for some reason, she allowed her distractions in life to get to this. I don't know her - and I don't want to judge. I wish others would stop putting themselves on a pedastal because they are X yrs old and have so many kids and a full time job. Who cares? People have different lives. Shift the focus to a POSITIVE outcome for the future...make it so this doesn't happen to another family. I love the ideas everyone has had about sensors...hopefully someone will create one SOON!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sara, Central Minnesota — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:36:22 GMT

I'm shocked that some people can be so judgmental. It's easy to look back on a situation and see how one might do something differently to avoid a tragedy, but it's not always that clear when it is actually happening. I have three kids and there have been many times when i have turned to drive to work rather than in the direction of their daycare. My daughter actually reminds me that we need to go the other way. We all make mistakes...unfortunately, the consequences to her mistake are incredibly tragic. i feel nothing but empathy for this mother. i cannot fathom the depth of her guilt and shame. The legal system could never punish her as fully as I am sure she is punishing herself every day since this incident. I am lucky something similar has not happened in my family, for I am also HUMAN and therefore imperfect.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

S Douglas, York, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:36:23 GMT

And the point in sender her to jail would be? What practical deterrence would come from putting her behind bars? This was an horrific accident by a person who's job indicates she cares deeply for kids. First, it might be appropriate for those commenting to identify if they are single parents or dual-income fulltime employed. As a father of three boys and a member of dual earner family, life gets more than a little chaotic and any deviation from routine can foul up the day. Add to that the associated sleep depravation caused by a new born or toddler and it isn't all that hard to imagine how this can happen. Single parents, I don't have a clue how you manage. While I have never left my sons in the car, I have forgotten them at a soccer practice or two because our tag-team pick-up schedule got fouled up. Notably absent from the discussion is if a different result might have occured if there were better, on-site daycare by employers. There are broader societal issue at play here regarding working parents. In some countries paid leave is provided to the mother and the father during this stage a child's life. Why not here?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Trish Adkins, Lake City, TN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:36:31 GMT

I don't agree with the "spin" that the media on NBC put on this situation. I do not feel, at all, this woman is remorseful. I know it's not my right to judge someone's feelings, we never know how we would react to the death of child, (I pray I'll never know) but this woman did not display what I feel I would be feeling. How can you already know you will return to work, my mind could not comprehend living another day. Parents need to be held accountable for negligance of their children. This has happened too many times. I agree with the man who did not want to "plant a seed" but we can't overlook the possibility of it being intentional. You and I may not be able to believe such a horror as that, but look in the news every day and witness the evil that exists in our world. When you are a mother, a responsible mother, your child is on your mind every minute. If she is capable of forgetting her child was in the car for eight hours she should not be allowed to be responsible for the school children or her other daughter. Perhaps if the punishment for such a crime were severe,this would not happen. This again proves how self-absorbed people are that it would take worrying for their own selves to deter this type of neglect. I feel she should be punished to the fullest extent, there is no excuse. Would you not think of your child and the time you spent with them that morning at some point? I can not imagine how that could be. This is a horrible tragedy that has to stop happening.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Brenda, Colville,WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:36:55 GMT

I am wondering if this would be the same story if the mother was Mexican or Black? I would wager that a woman of color wouldn't be treated this way,she woul dhave been arrested and charged. I would also wager that if this mother were poor she too would be charged.
Interesting how the mother's race,age,status in her community, her job,and her friend's comments influence whether this is a crime???

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Rod, Houston — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:37:34 GMT

I cannot get over how bloodthirsty people are. The woman made a horrible mistake, and you people want her blood.

What is wrong with you???

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

christina, petal, ms — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:37:45 GMT

I am a mother that has lost a child. Even though mine was due to SIDS the pain is still there. I don't know this woman but I feel her pain for the loss of a child, and I do feel some sort of punishment should be taken. How can you leave a child in a car. I wouldn't want her working at a school my children go to because if she can't tend to her own what make you think she is taking care of 1,000's of kids put in her care daily at a school.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Diana Twyman Ventura California — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:37:55 GMT

I have a very simple sollution to this problem. When my kids were little I always put my purse in the back seat. I had to get it when I got out of the car. Problem solved. There isnt anything in your purse that you need while your driving anyway.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Wendy A Caddo Ok — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:38:17 GMT

In the news today, is also a story of a Police officer getting fired for leaving a k9 police dog in a vehicle. If this person is held accountable for his actions then why is this mother not? Your children should be your 1st priority, not your co-workers morning donuts. As a mother who also works a very hectic and stressful job, I can honestly say that I might forget to turn off the Iron or curling iron, but I have never forgotten my children. I knew that my children were in the backseat. They and their routines were always my 1st priority. I feel for this mother, it's a sad tragedy. I don't necessarily want her thrown in jail, but people should be held accountable for their actions or lack of. We can insist that the car makers, the day cares, the schools do something to prevent this, but what we really need is for the people who decide to have children or care for children, to be more responsible. Nothing should be more important than our children and their well being.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Pam Bradley — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:38:38 GMT

If this woman were poor, she would have been charged.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tracey Columbus, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:38:39 GMT

So Hard hearted some of you. All of us are at the mercy of our minds. I feel sorry for her. There's no prison that can make her pay for the guilt she has in killing her baby.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Clariese, Marshville, NC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:41:32 GMT

I think that this woman should be tried and charged, doing some time in prison. I am a working mother, having two jobs and go to school at night. I have two children whom I transport to and from daycare to babysitters at night when I go to school. I have never forgotten once that they were in the car asleep.I dont feel any remorse when watching the video. As this women glances at the camara which is video taping her, she puts herself down and cry even harder.YEAH RIGHT!! She may feel some remorse,but if she feels that badly, how can she return back to work the next day. Someone she carried for 9mth., watch develop into their own little being, someone who depends on her for nurture.How could she forget her precious gift from god, but not her co-workers doughnuts. I am pretty sure the sitter called and asked where the child was after so many hours had past, even daycares in my area call and ask the where abouts of a child when they out assuring everything is okay.I feel no remorse what so ever for this woman!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

EARL MORROW — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:41:36 GMT

THIS WOMAN MUST BE CHARGED....I AM A FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN AND MY WIFE AND I ALTERNATE SCHEDULES TO BE WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES. YES, WE HAVE HAD OUR SHAREE OF PROBLEMS AND OBSTICLES IN OUR LIFE....BUT TO STOP FOR DOUGHNUTS AND FORGET CHILD IN CAR....PASTRY VS CHILD....I CHOOSE CHILD. ANY COMMPASION IS FOR THE FATHER THAT I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT. I AM NOT A REAL BIG RELIGIOUS GUY BUT, BLESS THIS POOR CHILDS SOUL....FOR MOM, YOU MAKE YOUR BED, SLEEP IN IT

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

David, Somerset, KY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:43:13 GMT

This was a terrible accident. I am thankful that my son is grown. I remember that he would fall asleep less than five minutes when riding in a car. We had the car seat in the front then, that was before the current laws. If he had been in the back seat as is required by law now, I shudder to think what could have happened. I think the law is wrong. Busy, responsible people forget. My son was much safer in the front seat, I would not forget him in that location.
How many lives could have been saved if the child was in the front seat. Would more children die in accidents, if in a front seat? I really wonder which is worse leaving a sleeping child in a back seat, or being injured by accident in the front seated car seat?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

sdsadsad — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:43:27 GMT

This is a very sad news.Eventhough it was not intensional ,There is no way ot is not a crime,What kind of parent she is to forget about her child.Bad Very Bad.This is simply I don't know what to say.She didn't forget to buy the doughnuts for co-workers,She is a workaholic ............Very Bad.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

A.F. Santacroce, Steubenville, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:45:11 GMT

With all the above comments said...to which I say DITTO to ALL arguments...I ask these questions:
#1 Wouldn't the County Prosecutor's compassion be better served to protect the other child in this women's custody so that she might not "unintentionally" do this again to the other one (one never knows?)
#2 What about the Father? Is he not afraid or concerned she might do this again to their other child? Maybe not in their car but in a different situation?
#3 Why aren't the parents at the school where she is an Assistant Principal speaking out saying they would be afaid or concerned having their children in her care...even as a moderator or even on a field trip?
It is so sad...but Atty. Susan Filan of MSNBC is right...she should not get off "scott-free." The judge or prosecutor should have used this case "as an example" as they often do if the case merits it.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Megan Sundberg, Erie Pennsylvania — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:45:20 GMT

This story makes me ill to begin with but to read the self righteous comments on here actually makes it worse. I, too, am a mother of two and I juggle two part-time jobs. My children are the most important thing in the world to me but could this happen to me? Yes, I I know it could and that scares the hell out of me. Articles like this remind us how vigilant we must be every single day because one accident is all it takes to destroy a family. To anyone on here who believes this woman belongs in hell, know that she is already there. We have no right to judge her. We are all capable of making mistakes - even catastrophic ones.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

John G. White Salmon, Wa. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:45:23 GMT

Unexcusable!!!! If a person can't remember their kid in the car for 8 hrs., how can they function, period.
I'm a single father of two, work to take care of them and just can't grasp anybody forgetting their kids anyplace, anytime.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michele Stevens, Lincoln, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:45:26 GMT

Judge not less you be judged. Think about this woman who will have to live the rest of her life knowing that she made a mistake she cannot ever take back. As a society we have forgotten how to be compassionate. Walk a mile in her shoes.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Tina, Lakeville,In. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:45:26 GMT

There is NO excuse for what she has done. She murdered her own daughter. This makes me FURIOUS everytime I think of it. As a mother of 3 I can say I have NEVER been to busy to forget my child in the car. I mean come on if you are that busy then you shouldn't have children. Apparently she doesn't have enough time to care for them properly. Someone please take her remaining child from her before she forgets she has her too! She has committed a murder and should spend time in jail like anyone else that has committed murder. I noticed that she only mentioned herself in the police interview and not her poor baby. I will pray for that child everyday.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Desiree, Charlottesville, VA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:45:37 GMT

How do you just forget your child in the backseat of a car? I have never forgotten my daughter and I have changes my routine many times. How do you not see her in there when you open the trunk walk around the car and nothing makes you look in the car?

I am tired of people leaving there kids in hot cars and getting away with murder.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dara F, Yucca Valley, California — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:46:15 GMT

I don't think this mother needs to be prosecuted. It is guaranteed that there is nothing that can be done that is worse than what has already happened. The rest of her life is going to spent going over and over that moment that she got the doughnuts out of the car and went into her workplace while her daughter stayed in that vehicle. She is going to rack her brain trying to figure out how she let something like this happen and what a different split second decision would have done to change the reality of her life. The baby is gone and that's heartbreaking but I still feel pain for the mother. She has just been given the strictest sentence possible. Her baby is gone and she is still here to face that reality and deal with it.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Trena Karnnet, Cincinnati OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:47:32 GMT

Almost every parent who has heard this story feels bad for this mother and wishes there were a way to ease this pain, but she should live with this pain the remainder of her life. But is the choice that was made to not prosecute any less negligent than this mother ........after all, this woman has left her child in the car previously, AND she returned to the car multiple times during the day.....Not only did this mother fail this child, but the prosecuters have failed all children. Big deal if the verdict is overturned.......negligence is negligence and when resulting in death.......criminal. Just a thought but how many of us do NOT think of our children at least once during an 8 hr stretch of time? To forget a child and not even think of this child is certainly not a normal pattern for a parent........this mother needs help, psycho-therapy, and not just for the loss of her child.........but also for not 'remembering' she had a child. I would think this qualifies as classic symptoms of some mental illness - not just a 'hectic' lifestyle.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mrs. RK Shanks, Chattanooga tn — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:47:34 GMT

This same thing happened in TN recently,and the father was not punished. Maybe a new trend is catching on?
Ok, you stop get donuts, put donuts in car,BACK out of donut shop and into parking place,( ever glance over shoulder to reverse?) unload donuts, get into the car, (looking ONLY to driver's seat?) park, hit lock button on Mercedes(dont want to lose IT) and 8 hours later is the next time you think of your child? Did the thought of that child not cross that mothers mind all day? ... Obviously not! And the so-called 'tragic' interview was only self serving---full of "I" excuses! "'I am bad mother- (yes!) "I am trying to be everything to everyone;" (Try just being 1 good mother to 2 children!).. No expression of any agony over the misery and helplessness of the poor innocent child when succumbing to death by heat!
I can not imagine her not SEEing this child as many times as she was in and out of the car! Arent 2 year olds in forward facing seats? Obviously, some people are that stupid and irresponsible, but there has to be some punishment... or we will see more and more of this easy way to eliminate day care fees! And to think she is saying she will go back to WORK? How could a mother even have a thought of a return to 'normal' anywhere on her mind so SOON?
This woman is not exhibiting enough agony for her lost child and the misery it suffered. I look in my back seat every day, and I am 60! What's up with this excuse???

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Another mom, Denver CO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:47:35 GMT

I feel sorry for the family; but to forget her child in the car is outrages. Don't you look in your rear view mirrow? I have 4 kids, one with in need of constant medical care. I never have a full 7 hours sleep. Not once in my trip jugling from hospital stays, groceries, sleep over, soccer that I forget that I have a child having a nap on the back of the car. She needs to do public service for being careless not jail time.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sherry Biggers Mexico MO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:47:40 GMT

I guess we have to assume that she left the child in the car when she went in to buy the donuts, as well?

I cannot imagine what she is going through, but more so, I cannot imagine what that child went through.
Heartbreaking...and she should be held accountable in some way. I'm on the fence about jail because then her other child would suffer the loss of a parent, but..hey, maybe the other child is better off without her anyway.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

WTF, New York, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:47:53 GMT

For all the people out there "bashing" others who think she deserves to be punished, consider this:

1) SHE'S LEFT HER CHILD IN THE CAR ALONE BEFORE!!! And I'm guessing she's done it other times before and after she was warned about it when she got caught. It's just very unforunate that this time around, her child had to die because of her stupidity.

2) How the heck could she NOT see the child when she went to put the donuts in the back seat and when she was backing up her car??

3) I haven't seen the video but from reading the comments that said not once did she grieve for the child or mentioned the child and only kept talking about herself - doesn't that seem strange to anyone else??

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mary M, Boston MA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:47:54 GMT

I am a mother of 2, my girls are 12 and 8 now and i can't imagine someone saying they "forgot" their child in the back of the car or anywhere for that matter, even more so if this was normal routine for her to have her with her everyday! Even at the age they are now I call and check on them at least twice a day at my mothers while I am in work to see how school was or say hello etc.
I feel terrible for this woman and can not even imagine the pain she must feel, but to say she forgot. Come on now ,especially a 2 year old!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jessica C., Lubbock, Tx — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:48:16 GMT

i just think that is is ridiculous that someone would use having a "busy" day as an excuse for leaving a child in the car. Whether the child was asleep or not im pretty sure while she was either getting out of the car or even when she was unloading the vehicle from behind she would have seen the car seat with the baby in it and though" oh no i have to take her to daycare" If the car seat was facing forward she would have seen the baby in the rearview mirror and if it was face the back of the car she would have been lookin right into the baby's face when she opened the back door. I just dont feel that there is a good excuse, i feel sorry for the other child who will grow up wondering if mommy will forget me too

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Ray — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:48:18 GMT

"To me this was a terrible mistake; one that she'll be paying for the rest of her life."

Try telling that little girl that...oh yeah, the rest of that girls life is already over.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

r miller — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:48:18 GMT

I can not believe how judgemental most of these posts are. Do you not realize that every one of us is ONE MISTAKE AWAY from a potential disaster that could cause a life to be lost? Do you know how many parents turn their eyes away for a SPLIT second and lose a child to drowning, a car accident, a household accident, etc. We could glance away while driving and look up to see the pedestrian that we just hit. Have you never 'forgot' to do something really, really important? Did it really mean that you didn't care, or just that human beings make mistakes that sometimes have irreversible consequences? I think instead of lashing out at this devastated woman we should be on our knees thanking God that we've been FORTUNATE enough - not GOOD enough, to never expreience such a tredegy.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

DB, Phil, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:48:41 GMT

In the interview, all she did was make reference to herself...HER incompetence...HER being a bad mom...I would be howling about my KID! It was if she was looking for sympathy...sorry, I didn't find it "hard to watch"...I would have expect far more wailing and extreme displays of grief...afterall, it doesn't get any worse than this situation.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

becky, mesa, az — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:49:39 GMT

i don't have any sympathy for this mother. i am a mother of a three year old son. i find myself triple checking my vehicle to make sure i took him to daycare before going to work. all parents should open every door on their vehicles and check every place a child can fit into prior to locking it up and going about their business. i work for the government and i know we have so many of these cases where i am at. PAY ATTENTION PARENTS. we are suppose to protect and teach our children not put them in harms way.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Terri, Medina, OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:49:58 GMT

This is a tragic accident!

My heart goes out for her! My prayers are with her and her family. Prison...absolutely NOT! I pray for a healing...so that she can forgive herself.

All of us could be the cause of an accident where a human life could tragically be lost. No need to throw stones!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lori Perry — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:50:12 GMT

coming from a mother that has put a rock through a strangers car window in a parking lot and pulled a baby from a sweltering car... I would personally like to break her nose. Mothers dont 'forget' their children are there, nor in their cars, if they do...they shouldnt be able to have the honor of being a mother.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Susan Bailey, St. Paul Minnesota — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:50:52 GMT

What scares me about this is that parents who want to get rid of a child can just leave the child in a hot car all day and then just say it was an accident. She needs to be prosecuted to send a message to all parents that this horrible neglect will not be tolerated.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dory, Seattle, Wash. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:50:54 GMT

I can't believe this whole story...what's more important than doughnuts?? My goodness, a 2-year old, who was sitting there first of all waiting for her to come back to get her out of the car, and Mummy never came back...never came back...her doughnuts were so important that Mummy couldn't come back to get her little 2-year old out of the car...First of all, when you look in your rear-view mirror you see your child, did she not even do that? It is just so baffling to me that she can sit there and say that she actually "forgot." I am a mother of 2 sons, didn't do that when they were young, and would, will never ever do that to anyone, or anything, least of all your own child!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

r miller — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:51:38 GMT

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Angela S., Beaver, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:51:58 GMT

I feel sorry for every parent who has ever left a child in a car accidentally. I am a mother of 2 and I remember when they were little how stressful it was. Not to mention sleep deprivation. How many of you drive home and your mind starts going through various thoughts of what am I going to make for dinner or does Susie have practice tonight? and then BAM! your pulling in your driveway and you don't really "remember" the entire drive home. It is so easy in this day and age for parents to be over worked and under tremendous stress to forget something that seems so simple. Especially if you do it everyday. Like taking medicine you get in the habit of doing it everyday that some day you might question yourself as to whether or not you took it that day. It can happen to anyone of us at anytime. It only takes a second to get distracted and your mind re-route you to something else. Does she deserve to be punished? Maybe...but I think losing a child is the worst punishment of all time. She will have to live with this the rest of her life. I like the idea about sensors. That would be a big help. But even better was the teddy bear idea or the purse in the back seat. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

elizabeth fenimore — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:52:25 GMT

It doesn't matter to me about a change in routine, whatever reasoning someone can muster to excuse leaving a child in a car.
There is no wiggle room here at all.
In addition, with all the stories this summer re: children dying while being left in hot cars, how can someone NOT have this in the back of their mind?
I have 3 grown children, one grandson, who I spend a lot of time with and who rides in my car frequently.
If you can remember donuts and your purse, you ought to be able to remember you have a CHILD in the car!
So, she got the donuts out and didn't see her child?
I just do not believe it.
It's too bad this mother is distraught.
However, I liken it to people who have pools and don't remember to lock the gate so small children won't drown.
I have no sympathy for parents who, throught lack of follow through, lose their kids.
I think about the suffering these innocent kids went through in their last minutes, probably wondering where their mom or dad was, and THAT'S what rips at my heart strings.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lilly — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:52:47 GMT

Absolutely disgraceful. Instead of thinking about how we pity the mother, think about the long horrible death her daughter had!! If you can simply forget your child, you shouldn't be having them!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

John Palimino Cedar Rapids, IA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:53:35 GMT

There seems to be an inconsistency here about the child being dropped off at the baby sitters house. Presumably, the sitter was expecting that child to be dropped off. Was there any communication between the supposed baby sitter and the mother during that eight hours? Something seems off here.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jade Midori, Bangalore, India — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:54:35 GMT

I feel so terribly horrible for the mom... I can't even imagine what she must be goin through... Its easy enough to say it can never happen to you, but the simple truth is - it so easily can...

The thing is, as much as I'd rather not say this, she should have been held liable and given a community service sentence or somethin, simply because otherwise, it makes murdering a kid so easy for sick minded ppl out there... Precedent. This is jus the legal angle I'm lookin at...

Personally, I feel awful about this and my deepest sympathies are with the mother...

Its the worst feelin in the world knowin you're responsible for the death of someone you love....

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Denise M Utica NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:54:43 GMT

Nobody is that busy!!She no doubt had the $$$$ and/or connections to get away with murder. If a simple switch in her daily routine can lead to a death how would she react at work in the event of an emergency? Does she run from the school everytime the fire alarm rings and "forget" to take the students? I am a single mother of two kids who went to college full time. At the same time I had a full and a part time job. I forgot my homework, coffee, to shower, brush my teeth. I never forgot my children!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Meg Griggs, Westbrook, CT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:55:38 GMT

This woman should be punished severly. She talks about herself inthe interrogation "I have been doing too much, everything for everybody". Shouldn't that be a signal that she had a ready made excuse? When she didn't bring the baby to daycare - wouldn't someone have noticed? Wouldn't the daycare have called her. And maybe I am a freak, but when m,y child was in daycare I used to call to make sure she was ok at least once a day at different times in the day. I just don't buy it. She goes and buys donuts and forgets her little girl is in the back of the car? She doesn't hear from the daycare? Why bring the donuts to school first?

She is negligent, irresponsible and selfish. I hope her 5 year old is safe.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

D. Cardella, Ralston, NE — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:55:53 GMT

Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby, is an assistant principal so she clearly is and educated women. I'm wondering why the babysitter didn't call and ask why she didn't bring her child in that day. I certainly agree that this is another tragic loss and that is why whomever is responsible for something like this needs to be held accoutable for their actions.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sam Nayte, Chicago, IL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:55:55 GMT

To those that think she will live with this the rest of her life; I doubt that. She was able to forget her living child resulting in her death what more of one that is no longer there. Without being in jail she will be able to get back to her hectic schedule, meetings and doughnuts and forget that she ever had more than one child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Farra, Cincinnati, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:55:59 GMT

In addition to the comments previously made, my concern in this situation is that if this woman had been from a different background, would she have been penalized for murdering her child? Almost definitely! However, this is a middle-class woman who "accidentally forgot" her child. Intent cannot and should not be the only cause for indictment in this instance. If someone is driving down the road and accidentally runs a stop sign, killing someone in another car - isn't that vehicular homicide?! The person certainly didn't mean to run the stop sign and kill an innocent driver, but they still have to pay the consequences for his or her lapse in judgement. Although my heart aches for this woman who caused the death of her child, as a mother, my heart aches much more for the child who suffered for eight hours in a 150 degree car alone - without one of the only people in this world whose job it was to protect her. I realize that no punishment is going to bring that little girl back, but we are setting a scary precedent here by saying "It's okay if you kill a child, just so long as it was an accident".

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Amy, Bridgeport, CT — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:56:05 GMT

I understand the hectic day to day running around in the mornings. I've forgotten a lot of things, but a baby in the backseat is not one of them. I feel for her, but everytime I hear a story like this, it boggles my mind. I will admit sometimes, when I get to work and get the feeling that I didn't drop off my child. Before going into the office, I check the carseat. I don't know. I can't say what goes on in these parents minds. But I'm trying to think of a scenario where I leave my child in the carseat for any length of time. Fortunately, I can't think of any.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michelle Massachusettes — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:56:18 GMT

This is an absolutly horrible tradegy. Being a working mother of two children, i put my oldest daughter on the bus and bring my youngest to preschool afterwards, then off to work I go. Oh ya, usually I have a temper tantrum to work through along with making lunches, getting dressed, taking care of our dog and other morning issues before we even venture on. I always have after school activities on my mind or even work related activities on my mind. We are all so very busy. No matter how many children we have, what kind of car we drive, what we do for work, or how much money we have, it can happen to anyone of us. This is always in the back of my mind, whether it is morning time or on the weekend. Every time I park my car I always walk to were I am going in the back of my car and glance through the windows, not just to make sure my children were out, they could always forget their lunch or backpacks. My family thinks I am a paranoid parent, but, I dont want to be that parent. All of you busy parents out there never say it will never happen to you, because horrible mistakes happen.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lynette, Tacoma, Wash. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:56:19 GMT

There is no excuse in the world to forget your child in the car. And for all of you who want a device to help remember your kids are in the car, please. It's time people become responsible and accountable for their actions. Don't try to blame anyone else for your negligence. This child is gone and never will be on this earth again. She may be shook up about losing a child but she should have to suffer the consequences of being ignorant. Jail time is a must for her. My kids would be pulled out of that school if she was in charge, that's for sure.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joan, Scottsdale, AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:56:28 GMT

Shame on you people who think she's "suffered enough"! What is WRONG with you people?? I have NEVER forgotten that one of my children was in the car, or needed to be picked up, or anything else! And let me tell you idiotic people something: You only "forget" if it doesn't MATTER to you! Some of you apparently think that Mrs. Selfish will suffer from this. Wel, guess what? I bet you money that she's over it within six months, and probably planning to have more kids! I say, fire the selfish wench from her school position, and take her kid (the still living one) away from her as well! She's not to be trusted with children, her own or other people's, that much is SURE!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sharon Rolof Holiday Island, Arkansas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:56:32 GMT

Has life become so full of pressures and so hectic that the priorities of life are not in the proper order. I wonder if there was a problem with not ever being bonded with her child?
Is it just an expected part of life to have children and go to work when they really need for Mom to stay home and nuture and become bonded in the daily caring of the child.
I have prayed for this woman and will continue to do so. Where is her husband in all of this? I agree, why didn't the babysitter call? We need to all wake up to what is really the priority of our lives.
S. Rolof Holiday Island, Ar.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Eliza, Massachusetts — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:56:58 GMT

Forget your own child? Maybe for a split-second, but not for EIGHT HOURS! What was so hard about watching that interview? In the clip we were shown, at least, it was more like "Poor Me", NOT "My poor baby". The fact that the woman had reportedly left her child in the car before is also horrifying - one near miss, even forgetting a child alone for a few moments, would normally strike enough fear into a parent's heart to prevent it ever happening again. Something is really wrong here: a history of leaving a baby locked in a hot car until it's finally killed, no criminal penalties, and is she seriously keeping her position of responsibility over other people's children?!?
Looking at the statistics, we obviously need some kind of alarm system that would alert when children are left in a car, but also treatment and/or punishment for those who continue to do so. (Most people would never need an alarm, but if you're that spaced, put a ribbon around your baby's ankle or waist that attaches to your wrist when you buckle her in; put a message on your cellphone asking yourself who's got the baby; but DO SOMETHING!)
Just a thought: If we executed a criminal, no matter how heinous his crimes, by putting him in a locked metal box on hot asphalt, and letting him take hours to die an agonizing death, people would be marching in protest in the streets. So why can't we protect these innocent babies?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

M Smith Spokane WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:56:58 GMT

I'm a 56. A mother of 3 children and I have 3 grand children. I have a full time job and hectic life just like the rest of us. I have pictures of all my children and grand children all over my desk. Although my children are 32, 30, & 23 and all have lives of their own I still think about and worry about them everyday. I cannot image how this woman could have forgotten that her child was in that car. I can't imagine it for 30 minutes much less 8 hours. There is something definitely wrong with society today if we are so distracted as to forget our precious little ones. It's not my place to judge, but I do hope she takes the time to understand why this happened and not be so totally focused on her own grief so as to harm others of her family.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Pammy V. Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:57:06 GMT

For all of you people espousing your self-righteousness and laying judgement on this woman, I hope karma doesn't bite you in the backside. Try to put yourself in her shoes. Really. And keep an eye on your kids. God forbid you have a forgetful or distracted day & have to live her misery first-hand.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Amy C, Erie, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:57:47 GMT

You can never be too busy to forget about your child. I have a beautiful two month old daughter, and i actually have the opposite problem--i find myself looking in my mirror to check on her when she's not even with me! How could it have never occurred to her, "Wait, i don't remember stoppinig at daycare this morning"? In the video it sounds like she's trying to justify forgetting by saying how she's "so busy". It is horrible that she has to deal with losing a child, but it is NOT "punishment enough"! What kind of horrible logic is that?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

C. Nobles — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:59:40 GMT

I'm sorry for the family, but as I watched this interview I never once heard this woman speak about her child, all she did was complain about her stressed life and how everyone counts on her. Her own daughter couldn't count on her, but hey they had donuts. Also, she backed the car in, looking backwards, she got out of the vehicle, took in the donuts, stood outide the car facing the side, got back in and parked it all this and never even one thought about the poor little child waiting to be dropped at daycare. I believe it is Love of God first, love of family,, love of country etc. I couldn't even tell you where donuts fit in there. How do you know it's an accident? So the next person to do this can claim it was an accident as well and it may very well be intentional. My God even dogs have more rights then this little girl had. If she is so stressed maybe she shouldn't be in the position she is in and how dare her not go home an morn her child, she went back to work so now you know where her priorities are. How can her husband even trust her to take care of her other daughter. At least God is giving this little girl the attension she deserves. i also wonder how this turned out if the mother was a minority and a lunch lady at the school.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

MICHELLE CRANSTON RI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:59:54 GMT

THIS MAKES ME FURIOS!! MY HEART GOES OUT TO THAT LITTLE GIRL THERE IS ABOSOLUTLEY NO REASON FOR ANY CHILD TO DIE BEING LEFT IN A CAR REGARDLESS OF A CHANGE IN YOUR ROUTINE THATS JUST AN EXCUSE!!!!! I HAVE TWO CHILDREN OF MY OWN AND I WOULD NEVER LEAVE THEM IN THE CAR EVEN TO RUN THE STORE FOR A GALLON OF MILK THIS IS A TOTALY ENEXCUSEABLE ACT. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS CHILD TO DIE. I FEEL HER MOTHER SHOULD BE HELD ACOUNTABLE. GOD REST THAT CHILDS SOUL. IT WAS 150 DEGREES INSIDE OF THAT CAR I COULD NOT IMAGINE HOW THAT BABY FELT!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa L. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:03:43 GMT

If you are a forgetful person I agree that you should put something into the backseat, purse, etc. to help you check to make sure that your child is not back there. To all of you who think that they should make a sensor to let you know that the child is there after the ignition is shut off are complete - IDIOTS!!! Come on, these are children we are talking about! How can you possibly forget about another person in the car?!?! What if her husband was asleep in the back seat of the car - would she have forgot about him too? Are mother's out there that stupid?? I am a mother of 2 and it would be a cold day in hell before I forgot about either one of them. Yes, we are all under a lot of stress and have busy lives, but our children should be the 1st thing in our minds. If this had been someone other than a white woman you could be for damn sure that they would be getting some type of punishment. It is not punishment enough that she took the life of her own child - set an example of this woman and send her to jail!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jean, Nebraska — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:03:58 GMT

Where was this child when she "picked up" the donuts?
Was this baby left in the car unattended while she did this task? I really think this should be looked into closer. I know parents my be stressed and have thier minds on allot of things, but ones child should be put first and for most.
She supervises other peoples children. She needs to be aware of her suroundings. It is our job to make these children number 1 in our lives.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

K. Lloyd — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:05:29 GMT

Not being a mother myself, I don't fully grasp the mother bear attitude everyone is talking about. But as a human, I can't imagine forgetting about a sleeping person in the back of your car. A few minutes, perhaps. Eight hours, no. A person is dead and that needs to be recognised by the justice system. But let this be a wake up call to all of us. Slow down, take a moment, and breathe. You notice so much more when you look around. This could have been avoided if we weren't made to rush.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

D.Minter, Bronx, New York — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:05:37 GMT

I think that the mother should be held accountable for her actions. She seems to be a very well educated woman being that she is an Assistant Principle of a Middle School. She should know better to leave a child of any age let alone 2yrs old unattended in a car for any period of time, even if just to run in a store to buy doughnuts. That is just common sense, but I see a lot of parents around the world have none.
(ie. situation of missing 4yr old girl, parents went out to dinner and left their 3 children alone ages 2-4yrs. PATHETIC) In NY they would arrest you first, take away your children and ask questions later. As for hectic schedules, life itself is hectic, I should Know. I am a mother of six and for the past 10 yrs a Single working mother, but not once have I ever been to busy to use my common sense or could not remember or forgotten about the whereabouts of my children.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mary Davis Anderson, IN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:06:03 GMT

That poor poor little girl. My heart goes out to her and the pure torture and terror she must have gone through for a very long 8 hours. I'm sure the mom feels bad. I'm sure there's alot of people in prison who feel bad. It's not my place to judge, but I raised 3 children and help with my grandkids and can't ever imagine FORGETTING they are there.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Wanda Oliver, Oxford, North Carolina — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:06:06 GMT

My heart goes out to this lady in the loss of her child! Rest assured everyone, the child is now in heaven with my Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, who is taking care of her. She is no longer in a hot car waiting for her mother! May we all pray for forgiveness for judging this lady and pray that one day too we will all be in heaven to see this child again for ourselves!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Cathy Juarez Danville, Virginia — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:07:38 GMT

There's a lot that doesn't add up for me. I have two girls and a very hectic life. I can't tell you how many times I checked the backseat on the way to work because instinctively, I needed to confirm in my busy mind that I had dropped my kids off where they needed to be. Of course, I knew I had done it, but as a Mother, it's all about checking and double-checking yourself for the well being of you precious children. I'm wondering where her mommy instincts were that day...it's disturbing to me. Also, someone brought up an excellent point, if she backed up to the school to drop the donuts, how did she not look right at her child??? I'm not convinced that she "made a mistake".

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Catrina, Currently AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:08:47 GMT

Brenda Slaby has done the unforgivable, she let her hectic life come before her child. For all of those asking for her blood; step back for a moment. Can you honestly say you've never put your own needs before the needs of your child? You've never left your child in daycare or school when you knew he/she wasn't feeling 100%, only to be called at work to pick them up because they're sick? Left them with a babysitter you later discovered wasn't all that great? Left a child in the bath to grab the phone, or to attend another child? The list could go on and on and all of these offer potentially tragic outcomes.

Fortunately for us (and our kids), luck is usually on our side. We go about our day without giving a second thought to our own lapse of judgement.

Putting Ms Slaby in jail is not going to bring her precious child back, it won't rehabilitate her and it won't serve the rest of humanity. She has to spend the rest of her life in a very personal hell. Everytime she gets in a car, she will be reminded. Everytime she sees a little 2 year old, when her friends children start school, she'll remember the little girl who will never start school, go to dance, get married and have her own babies. All the dreams she had for her daughter died in that car too. She will never forget about her daughter again...

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jean, Nebraska — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:08:54 GMT

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

SA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:10:16 GMT

I listened closely to her crying and sobbing when being interrogated. I couldn't believe that she was saying things like "If only I wasn't always trying to do things for everyone else, blah, blah, blah". She is literally trying to give herself an alibi instead of grieving for her daughter and taking responsiblity for her actions. She was even looking up at the camera several times. For her to sit there and try to act like she is this selfless heroine who is so incredibly busy doing all these great acts of kindness for everyone that she couldn't remember her daughter was in the car is inexcusable. She should be sent to jail ASAP. She is a poor excuse for a mother if she can still be thinking only of herself at a time like this.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michelle, Washington State — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:10:31 GMT

My heart goes out to the older sister of this poor little girl! She has to now grow up excepting that her very own Mother killed her little sister. I don't think she deserves to sit in prison but some jail time yes. I think they need to have a family memeber take care of the older sister until she can prove she is able to do it herself. I don't believe the older sister should go to a foster home but to family instead. Coming from a person who was raped in 2 different foster homes I dont believe any child should go to a foster home! I don't think that little girl should go through loosing her sister and her mother! I think she should loose her job and I also think that instead of rotting in jail they should make her go all over the US and talk to parents about the dangers of leaving children in cars. That would be more punishment than any jail! She would have to re-live that moment for her entire life! Now that is punishment enough!!! My heart goes out to you and your family!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kelly, Cleveland OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:10:43 GMT

I don't know what to say...I imagine that the torture this woman will feel for the rest of her life will be more punishment than jail, but I just don't understand how this can happen. As a full-time working Mom with a 7 month old in daycare, I can't count the number of times I think about him during the day, or wonder what he is doing. How did she not realize sooner than 8 hours later? I know it probably wouldn't have made a difference in that heat, but I just can't imagine not thinking about my baby all day long.

My heart breaks for that little girl.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Paul Cotofana, Surprise AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:11:58 GMT

Although I don't have any kids, I can't imagine how this happened. I've never forgotten about my dog and know that leaving him in a hot car will kill him. This is a child and I just can't imagine how this happened no matter what was going on in that woman's life. Was she high? That's the only plausible explanation I can think of besides mental defficiency.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Patricia of Boston — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:12:43 GMT

This is a terrible tragedy indeed. I just can't imagine leaving a child in the car all! Is the rest of the world so important that a mother can forget her helpless child? I find it peculiar that the mother is not being held up to the standard to which the laws reside over incidents like this one. This is setting a precidence to anyone remotely thinking of doing something like this and getting away awith it. If we have a judicial system and laws that govern this system, then use the laws the way they were set up to be used.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Padmavati Garvey — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:13:28 GMT

I wonder what would have happened if the mother were poor or African-American? I suspect that they wouldn't have let her go without some jail time. Accidents do happen, but even then we have to live with the consequences of those accidents.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Terry Omaha, Nebraska — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:13:56 GMT

A "professional" with responsibilities that include YOUR CHILDERN,whose memory of her child lapeses over DONUTS??!! Not only should she be prosecuted,the school board should seriously consider her position. This is inexcusable.I am quite sure she is suffering, however, SHE IS THE CAREGIVER,whose responsibility it is to PROTECT her children...Donuts???

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Leslie, Paso Robles CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:14:18 GMT

Just hearing this is aggrevating enough...but it seems there is a lot of this going on...seems if everyone this is happening to didn't make a habit of leaving their kids in the car with it cold out then they couldn't forget about them and think it's ok in 100 degree weather...you wouldn't do it to your pet!

I'm sorry for her loss..however...what I don't understand is that she obviously left the child in the car to go in and get the donuts (proof that she leaves her child in the car) but wouldn't you get paranoid a bit leaving the child in there to go and get the donuts in the first place? you constantly keep your car in sight so no one with a gun jumps in...again...car is in sight knowing that your child was asleep and you didn't want to wake them YOU DECIDE to leave them in the car...she flat out said she left her house and went to the donut shop...so at what point did she forget she had the child...did she not realize she put the child in the car?? but on the way back to the car from buying donuts..wouldn't you see the child in there perhaps when you had to find a place to set the donuts? and at that point...wouldn't you say to yourself "Ok..next stop..Daycare"? I have a 16yr old and a 2 yr old..and we are all guilty of not wanting to wake our kids from a nap just to make a quick trip into the store...or they are asleep when you get home and you open the windows and let them nap in the car...checking on them every 5 min...but not once have I left the 2 yr old in the car without knowing he is there...not once...if they are in your car..you know it...a man with a gun would hide...but a carseat is right there...big and bulky. then you have to ask this question...when she got to school didn't she have to grab the donuts and perhaps a bag/briefcase?? So pending everything was in the passanger seat of her car..that when she leaned over to get everything out...she didn't glance to see what was in the corner of her eye in the carseat sitting there? Or perhaps when she got out to walk around to the passanger side to grab things out...she didn't see the child thru a window...was it an 8 passanger minivan that she had the child allllll the way in the back and she couldn't see her? What about the rearview mirror? did her car not come equipped with one? I can see my child in it...was the carseat behind the drivers seat...now if that's the case what parent does that with a kid in the car so you can't see them and you can't reach them if they need to be reached...

Like everyone has said...we all feel horrible for this womans loss...but more sorry for the child having to suffer from such a neglectful parent...she wasn't 16 and clueless. she doesn't deserve a slap on the wrist..but at the same time...I can't afford to keep her in jail for her stupidity. she does deserve some time behind the glass window..that's for sure...perhaps in a well heated room with the windows cracked!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Mary, Dayton, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:14:34 GMT

I can understand how this happens. As a working mother I was returning to work after an extended maternity leave. I always took my son to my mother's house, she was caring for him at the time while I worked. One day instead of driving to my mother's house I drove straight to work, thinking of all the things I had to do that day. I got out of the car and opened the van door. Thank God I did, there was my son sleeping quietly in his car seat. I was mortified at what I had done, and thankful I had to open that door. It wasn't the lack of being a good parent, it was all the responsibilities of being a wife and working mother. I feel today women are so overworked and overwhelmed. Gender roles have not changed much. We are to maintain our roles of the wife, mother, caregiver, etc., while being in the workforce. Families have difficulty surviving without a two income household, but no one ever really thinks about how this affects women when we still have all those demands placed on us. I am not excusing what happened, it is a tragedy, but should be so quick to condemn because I am sure we have all had those moments.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Cathy McClendon, Charlotte, Nc — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:15:01 GMT

I can't bring myself to feel sorry for her. Where was the baby when she stopped for donuts? The donuts were in the hatch which means she went inside to purchase them. 2 times she got in and out of her vehicle, passing the child in the back. Again when she backed up, why didn't she notice? If you forget your purse, wallet or cell phone, how long before you notice? Surely not 8hrs. I certainly would not send my children to a school knowing that the administrators are too busy to protect their own children. Prison is not the answer, she is not a threat to society, I don't want to pay for her. But she should not be allowed around children, her own included.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jamie W, MI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:16:31 GMT

What if this were a total accident as she says...and it happened to you?!?! What would YOU think fair punishment would be? I think the DA was fair with her. It could have happened to ANYONE! I dont think that every situation is the same and should have the same punisment. That is just like the story of the little boy that took his Boy Scout knife to school on accident and is being punished as if he were a high schooler that had brought a knife to school. Do you think that is fair punishment for him?!?! I THINK NOT! In this world today we should be thankful that there are people that will stand up and say "I am not perfect and it could have happened to me!", instead of locking you up and throwing away the key before you can explain. I feel for this woman and her family. Hopefully, if nothing else she has saved the lives of other babies that could have been in the same situation....I know she opened my eyes! It's sad to see so many people out to get her,when none of us are perfect!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Barbara Barnaby, Honolulu, HI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:17:23 GMT

Every year this unthinkable tragedy occurs. The problem is parents are not putting their child as a top priority. Had this mother made a practice of not leaving her child unsupervised in the car for her "this will only take a minute" dash into a store to grab donuts or to view her other child's school project this toddler might very well be alive today. I agree this woman has suffered a tremendous loss but she is the cause of this loss. Something needs to be done to make a parents think twice about leaving their children alone in a car. Sadly prosecution may be the answer. The possibility of loosing a child by death is not enough of a consequence but prison or a huge fine may be the incentive for parents to do the right thing.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Terry Omaha, Nebraska — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:18:53 GMT

A "professional" with responsibilities that include YOUR CHILDREN,whose memory of her child lapeses over DONUTS??!! Not only should she be prosecuted,the school board should seriously consider her position. This is inexcusable.I am quite sure she is suffering, however, SHE IS THE CAREGIVER,whose responsibility it is to PROTECT her children...Donuts???

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

M Heekin — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:19:09 GMT

It is hard to think of a punishment that could be worse than what she is suffering and maybe it is worth examining the level of stress sociey is placing on working mothers. I am not making excuses by any means but mothers are human too. They need rest and some time to recharge their batteries.For some reason, people think mothers can do everything.... they can't. something will give somewhere. Wake up...Bosses.. your jobs that these women need to survive don't come ahead of their children... husbands: these are your children too.. Help out your women....Legislators: promote and support quality childcare programs...We all bear witness to these tragedies and shake our heads but never consider the conditions that may have led up to it. We only see the end result.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joane Davis, Helendale, Ca. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:20:08 GMT

We are given laws to follow which prevents us from doing what we as parents feel necessary for the welfare of our children and then we are persecuted when it doesn't work. I personally dislike the fact that we are put in the position where our children are not in our view. This is not the first time nor will it be the last that a child is forgotten in the back seat of a car. Has anyone heard the saying "out of sight, out of mind"? Why are people so willing to condemn a horrible mistake that parents have to live with the rest of their lives.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Shannon Slack Calgary, Alberta, Canada — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:20:40 GMT

A horrible tradgedy, but as a Mother, one I cannot comprehend. The first and foremost thing on our minds, as Mothers is the saftey and well being of our precious children. How can you stop for donuts, take them out of the vehicle and proceed into work and forget your child. She remembered the donuts!!!!
I have been a working Mom, who had to drop my precious children off every morning before heading to work. There is no way possible that anyone could forget that they did not drop off thier child, it is part of the morning routine and something should have clicked in her brain that, Gee, did I forget something this morning. No matter how busy she was something should have clicked. She should be punished. None of us are that busy.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sharon Brown, Attica, New York — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:20:53 GMT

I want to hear about prevention strategies! What can everyone do to help each other out! All child care people what is your routine if a child does not show up? All employers can you please say at the beginning of the day "have you taken care of outside responsibilities?" May be a sign at the time clocks or an announcement at the start of shifts. Please everyone let us all work together for the good of our human race.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sue, Lancaster PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:21:11 GMT

After watching this story this morning, I had so many thoughts running through my head. Did her babysitter not call her to ask where her daughter was? Did she leave her daughter in the SUV when she went to pick up the donuts? How will the students in her school react to her after this?

I am a new mom of an 8 month old son who goes to daycare 5 days a week while my husband (a junior high teacher) and I go to work. I truly believe that our daycare would call us if our son didn't show up at school without being told that he'd be out. And I know that junior high kids can be cruel to their teachers and administrators (not just each other).

She will have to live with this for the rest of her life, but I also think there needs to be some other "punishment" for her. An innocent child died needlessly. My heart aches for her child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Gail Kane, Ayer, MA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:21:14 GMT

Being the mother of 5, I know it can be easy to forget things, I was always leaving my pocketbook somewhere when my kids were small. Luckily enough for me, I always remembered the kids! I wonder why the daycare didn't call looking for the child or why her child wouldn't have come up in conversation at some point during the day??? So sorry for everyone involved - especially the child. I hope Mom gets lots of counceling.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jamie, Youngstown, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:22:07 GMT

I am so deeply saddened to hear of this tragic mistake. I am a 27 year old mother of a 2 year old and 9 month old. I know what it is like to be absent-minded and crazy busy. My heart pours out to this woman. I do not believe she should be prosecuted, despite what others may think. She will literally suffer for the rest of her life. Perhaps she can do something to prevent other mothers or fathers from doing the same thing. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I think of a little girl trapped in a car for that long in the heat. What an awful way to die. Bless you Brenda!! My heart goes out to you in this time of need!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jenny, Dayton Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:23:04 GMT

In the Dayton Daily News, it was reported this mother had twice before left her child unattended in the car several days prior to the child's death and was advised by teachers at her 5yr old's school this action was endangering her child and she still did it. Yes, I believe she should have been prosecuted.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Charla, Nelsonville, OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:25:56 GMT

I refuse to judge Brenda for what has happened. Yes, I feel that it was a grave mistake, but with the guilt, suffering, and anguish Brenda must be feeling, not to mention the stares and comments she will have to deal with from here on out, that she has already been SENTENCED TO LIFE. My thoughts and prayers are with Brenda and her family. She now has the most grueling task an unlucky parent has to face in life...to plan a funeral for her child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Louie, Seattle, WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:26:30 GMT

Newer high end SUVs and MiniVans have back up cameras, once you get used to using those you realize you have better visiblilty than turning around. Had she had a cheaper car this probably wouldn't have happened.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Michael Conner,dover,Ar. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:26:43 GMT

All the mothers who were convicted for drowning,stabbing,drugging their children to death are watching tv in prison right now thinking,"how stupid!I should have thought of that!"I think we are setting the stage for more of these "get out of jail free cards" to be pulled.I think at the very least,we should have a very hefty fine,and loss of parental rights.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jennifer, Mentor, OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:26:53 GMT

It sickens me, to hear that some others think it is the car manufacturer's or the car seat manufacturer's responsibility to make sure the we as parents do not forget to take the children out of the car. If you are old enough and responsible enough to have children you should at least take responsibility for there overall safety. If anyone that feels so bad for this irresponsible parent, consider the suffering that the child must have felt suffocating, dehydrating and dieing in the backseat of the vehicle of whom the mother took the time out throughout the day to go to the car 5 times and even moved the car once. I have 2 children that are 11 months apart and work 1 full time job and a part time job, and never ever have I forgotten my kids, so for all those parents that feel it necessary to have someone else remind them of there children should not have children.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Helene, Denver, CO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:26:59 GMT

As a single mother 13 years ago, I worked 12 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week, for six months straight. I was working towards building a home and life for my daughter and myself and I knew some sacrifices would need to be made. Within those long months, I forgot groceries, my bag, my lunch, paperwork, etc. Yet, I never forgot my child. Today, I have 4 children whom I have cared for and watch grow, and cannot imagine anything in life, no matter how hectic, being more important then them in my mind. Sure, even today, life is hectic, and routines get pushed aside at times, but I wouldn't even forget children that were not mine in a vehicle. There is something else going on here, and her "apparent grief" may need to be loked at closer. Is it truly grief or guilt? I just don't understand how someone could over look something so important as their own child. An actual extension of themselves.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Chad, Iowa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:27:22 GMT

Real conflicted on this one, but something tells me this has to be chalked up to gross negligence and should be punishable by some jail time. I drop off my two kids twice each week. I have forgotten things like the milk, the bouncy chair, etc., but never them. I just don't see how you could forget your child in the car. In the 8 hours, she didn't think about her child once? No voice in her head said, "Oh s**t!" Just seems very strange

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jon Loftis, Wichita, KS — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:27:23 GMT

I dont think that these people should have to go to jail. Its not like she went to the casino, a bar or to some party. Teachers deal with a lot of things that 90% of the population just dont know about. EVERYBODY forgets.
Was it careless? Yes. Negligent? Yes. Does this deserve Jail time? No. Sending this woman to Jail who has helped countless kids through the education system would be wrong.
If anything Sending her home under house arrest for a month or more would probably be a more reasonable punishment.
In Jail all she will do is think about what she did wrong. Send her home for 2 months or longer and not only will she be thinking about what she did, but she will also have to see it everyday.
Whats worse; spending 5 years in Jail with people telling you what to do, or staying home where she has to sit, and come to terms with what she did?
This woman loved her child just like 95% of parents out there. Shes lost the one thing she will never get back. She shouldnt be punished anymore.
And to ANYONE who says "Ive never forgetten my child before", your lying.
Everyone forgets about there kids at one time or another, for whatever reason it may be. Luckily for you "Burn her at the stake" parents who do-no-wrong, noone died or got injured that one time you left or forgot about your child. But trust me, you will forget again and hopefully Karma doesnt come back to bite you in the back side.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

cathy summers, Las Vegas, Nevada — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:27:25 GMT

I believe this woman needs to go to jail or have her sit in a hot car for 8 hrs if she survives then she did her time and if not oh well. I don't care how many things you have going on in your life. To forget about a child is inexcusible. I am a gradmother of two and I don't see them much and I am not used to having kids around. But I can guarantee you I would never forget them anywhere. I just believe parents who forget thier children don't really care about them to begin with.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa, Bellevue, WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:28:08 GMT

This woman needs to be charged; whether she goes to jail or not is a decision to be made by a judge or jury. But she should not walk free, and certainly should not be allowed to go back to her job as caretaker of children.
It IS a tragedy, a lapse of judgment, a sad story. For the little girl. And no one saw her in there?!
Had this woman been poor, or a minority, I wonder if the outcome would be different.
Had this been a man, I wonder if the outcome would be different.
Not really, I don't wonder at all.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

g.eglesiasnepa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:28:41 GMT

It is easy to see what this womans priorities are! Donuts 1st, -- Baby 2nd . --Can you imagine how this poor baby suffered in that stiffling Heat of that 150 degree car, For 8 hours?? And how long has she had this teaching or assistant principle job? She must have been doing this routine for awhile. How could she just forget her baby one day, because of a box of donuts!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jacklin BIbb, Van Buren, Arkansas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:29:33 GMT

God help this lady! I am a single parent of a 15 year old boy. Children are a gift from GOD!!!I pray that this lady gets what she deserves. The state should remove all children from her home & she should NEVER be allowed to be around children ever again, put her in jail for murder! You do not forget about your child in the back seat of a HOT car! PERIOD! Praying for justice.....God help her soul.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Suzanne Humphrey Manhattan Beach, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:29:45 GMT

I was hoping to see well thought out responses here and fewer knee jerk reactions to this devastating loss. I have three children ages 17 to 40 and thank God, while my life has been very hectic at times, this has never happened to me and please note I did not say I never allowed this to occur and as there is a huge difference in those two statements. I cannot say, in all good conscience, that this could never happen to me because anything is possible in the world of a working parent with so many responsibilities that it would make any conscientious, dependable person stretch to their limit. That said, I could never, in all good conscience, sit in judgment of this person or what happened in her life yesterday. She is permanently scarred beyond anything we can possibly imagine unless the identical thing has happened in our lives. I can only hope that the judgments I am reading here are from young, idealistic parents who have no idea of what lies ahead for them with their children, especially in the frenetic world in which we live today. While this is one of the worst catastrophies that could happen to a child as well as to a parent, there are innumerable tragedies of lesser magniture in store for some of us. We can only hope that we have strong system in place with love and acceptance from our loved ones and are able to ignore the dsparaging, hypercritical remarks like I have seen here. I wish this family love and peace at this tragic time in their lives.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Louie, Seattle — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:31:01 GMT

Jerri, are you saying that a 14yr old can't sit in a car for 5 min while you run into the store? My 4 yr old often sits in the car for the three minutes it takes to run my two yr old into her daycare. I do lock her in and take the keys with me and were right in front where other parents and kids who know her are seeing her as she also attended. I wouldn't leave the two yr old alone in a reverse situation, but if the 4yr old can request to not get out then I'll let her stay.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sabrina Aldridge, Norwood, Mo. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:33:19 GMT

It's hard to understand how a mother or Father could forget a child but in our world today it's 90 to nothing 24-7. I hate that this has happened to this women and she will be in her own prison the rest of her life knowing she done this. i do not believe that she should go to jail for the simple fact of what she will deal with day in and day out. I can't imagine the unbearable hurt she feels right now. i'm sure she would die to take her place. One thing is for certain a person should never say never no matter what it is.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Cathy Juarez — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:34:47 GMT

Okay, I watched the video. Keeping in mind that I'm the kind of person that cries over a moving TV commercial...I am amazed to report that I felt nothing watching this video! She never mentioned her childs name once, it was all about her. If I had just baked my precious daughter in a car I would be inconsolable and screaming her name...she's worried about forgiving herself!!!! I'd be making plans to check into a phsychiatric hospital, not making plans to return to work!!!! In my opinion, something is not right with her, I don't believe she just made a mistake.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Cindy Chinnis, Richmond Va — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:34:57 GMT

No one can speak for this baby who's Mother simply forgot to drop her off? One thing that bother's me is, did she take her daughter out of her car seat when she picked up her dougnut's? Did the police question that store? Doing a daily drop off and on "one" morning, she pick's up doughnut's is not a reason to get off without some kind of punishment. As a mother with grown children, this has got to stop. No one is that plain stupid!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jack Harris — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:35:44 GMT

If it was a man that left his child in the car, you can be sure they would charge him, and give him jail time!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Karen Hill Mountain Home Idaho — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:37:53 GMT

Personally I don't know what people are thinking today. Yes life is busier, but only because parents make it that way, Either to keep kids busy and stay out of trouble or to just get them out of your face. We always took our children out of the car no matter if we were going to be only a few minutes. It was something we always did, now I think parents don't want to be bothered, they might be a couple of minutes late for something. I think she should be held responsible for her childs death, but like everything else give them a slap on the hand and have 100's more gets die because there parents are to busy

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Wanda V, New York, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:38:13 GMT

This is an extremely sad story. Al I can say is, even though I do believe this can happen to anyone that live such a hectic life with work and taking care of your home. I cant get over the fact that she actually left her in her car from the time she got to work until she left work. I mean, doesnt she think of her children while at work? Doesnt she call the babysitter to find out how the baby is doing during the day? I live a very hectic life myself but while Im working or driving after dropping my kids off. Im constantly thinking of them. So it is very difficult to actually choose a side.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Karyn Kucel, Huron, MI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:39:04 GMT

I certainly feel for this mother. I too am a professional mother being pulled in all directions, however, I think about my children all day long. Did she not think about hers? I feel she was totally at fault and she will have to live it for the rest of her life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Janet, Silverdale, wa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:39:42 GMT

Accidents happen, and I can (almost) believe that stopping at the store and interrupting your normal routine could cause you to forget that you didn't drop your child off but the video is what gets me. I'm a mother of a 2 year old girl and I'm prone to crying if she's sick or hurts herself (of course not in front of her) but the woman seems to be almost faking it, just sitting there and wimpering and whispering that she's a bad mom. I don't see grief or pain. Maybe that's just me but I know if I were in her shoes I wouldn't even be able to talk, I'd be crying so hard and I'd probably be vomiting. I can't imagine the loss of my children but I can probably say I'd act a little more shook up, especially if it really was an accident. Just my opinion.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Candy McCrary, Indianapolis, Ind. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:39:43 GMT

WHAT KIND OF JOURNALISM IS THIS? "Today" has become a disgrace. I've been a journalist for 15 years and a "Today" viewer my whole life -- no more. The Cincinnati Enquirer ran a story on Thursday revealing that this mother was warned THREE times by her daycare provider to stop leaving her younger daughter in the car alone. She'd done this before and she'd been warned about it! How come "Today" and its shoddy reporters didn't mention that this morning? Instead, you're trying to elicit sympathy for this negligent woman? I refuse to use the word "mother" because she does not deserve that esteemed title. I'm completely outraged and disgusted by this case, the prosecutor and NBC. "I forgot" and "I made a mistake" is not an excuse to walk away from criminal charges.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Henry Antoni, Providence, RI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:39:45 GMT

How about a simple reminder. No child in a car seat, unless there is wiggly reminder on the dash. Stick it back on the car seat when the child is OUT.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jean, Richmond, VA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:40:39 GMT

We had a similar situation like this near Richmond, Va a few years ago-a pastor of a church left his sleeping daughter in the car all day and she too died. He was supposed to take her in to the daycare there at the church and "forgot". I guess this lady didn't notice or "click" when she glanced at her kid's picture on her desk at work. ps- they tried the pastor and he ended up getting probation...his daughter got death though.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sara, Florida — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:41:21 GMT

I am a mother of 2 babies, 2 yr.old boy, 4 yr. old girl, they are both asleep in the morning when I drop them off, however if I am even 5 min. late, I get a phone call from the sitter, just wondering if everything is okay. It's a shock to me that even if she reached just beside her, she didn't see the child in the backseat. And may I also say, when ever I get out of my vehicle, I grab my purse,(which my kids bag is beside) get off, close the door, in any parking space, you usually have to walk to the rear, how did she not see her, I mean unless the windows, were pitch black... It's a very sad story and sad reminder that we are all moving a little to fast.This lady was pre occupied with trying to impress her teachers w/donuts, that she forgot about her child. I just hope and pray the number of children dying so horrifically will go down soon.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

florida — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:41:29 GMT

First off no one is pefect, and I know she did not do this on purpose. yet it is hard to see that no one like the sitter would call her, to see whay the child did not show up since it was a mon- fri routine, It is a hard call. I feel sad for her she will have to live with this forever only god can lay judgement on her though, the rest of you are just people with opinions. Wether they are true or false they mean nothing to this mattter nor will they effect any further outcome.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Janet Chaffin Kermit wv — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:41:36 GMT

I can't believe a mother could forget a child for a whole day did she not thing of the child at least once the whole day and remember it? I'm a mother of 2 children and they are adults and I still think of them several times a day.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

L Taylor Tempe AZ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:41:55 GMT

Never say never is exactly right. It's very easy for us to judge this woman, and say we would never do such a thing. But, the fact is, this could happen to more of us than are willing to admit it.

Sending this woman to jail would serve NO purpose for her or for society. She will be in her own private hell for the rest of her life. Taking her job away? What for? If those who are calling for that because school children are not safe with her would take a minute to think through that rationally, it's just not the case.

We have a fair number of these cases in AZ. Parents and day care providers have both been involved. Many have NOT been charged. The back seat issue is part of it -- the suggestions some of you have made about dealing with this -- putting purse, etc in back seat, arranging to have baby sitter always CALL you if you are not there on time, etc.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Linda Kuehl — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:42:58 GMT

For her own mental health, she should be charged, plead guilty, be sentenced but then the sentence should be suspended for all the above reasons. I disagree big time with the car seat in the back. This could have happened to anyone. What a horrible way to have one's priorities readjusted. She and her family needs our prayers, understanding and forgiveness -- though she will have a hard time forgiving herself. The loss of her daughter will be her worst punishment.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

gail Chestnut, medical lake , washington — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:43:37 GMT

something is not right here.... was the baby sitter not wondering where the baby was that day if she had not been notified that the baby was not going to be over at her house????? that needs to be check out!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Milla, Los Angeles, California — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:44:30 GMT

I cannot understand how people can be as cruel as the ones that are asking that the mother go to prison. You have not walked in her shoes, you never will. You just want a revange. You shameful hipocrits. You just want other people to think of how good you are and that you are doing this out of your goodness. You are doing this out of your own shame and guilt. I feel sorry for you.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

deborah mccormick wasilla,alaska — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:44:46 GMT

I am a grandmother raising 4 a 1237 years and i do not believe this. It is inexcusable. It was said once, she had to back car up and to me that means turning around to see where you are going. I also thought the interview was laughable not the right kind of emotion, i would be grieving my child and would be to distraught to function it looked more like a self pity trip. If the school lets her come
back I would be disappointed.God knows the truth
and if it was not an accident HE will judge accordinly.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

deanne, superior wi — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:44:51 GMT

What a tragedy...I cannot imagine losing one of my children. While a change in routine can cause momentary forgetfulness, what I wonder is, didn't this woman think about her little girl even once during the day? I think about my children all the time, like what they are doing during the day while i'm at work, and I call and check up on them.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Susan Adams WI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:45:11 GMT

I am not one to judge and my heart feels for this family for the loss of their child. The thing I do not understand is if this was at a school you can not tell me that the car was not in site of any other people that would know a child that small should not be in the car unnattended. To me someone should have seen and reported the incident. Just a thought.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Gene Foreman Las Vegas Nv — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:45:28 GMT

Expect many, many more child deaths just like this one,
people have figured out that they can murder their children and get away with it simply by saying they forgot they were in the car, and many people say that poor person forgot and they will live for the rest of their lives with the guilt and that is punishment enough. Society has discarded the idea that a person must be responsible for their actions and replaced it with "what can we blame this on other than the person that caused it". I am a 63 year old father of four and no matter what people say you will never convince me that anyone can forget a child in the back seat of a car. Any death like this was at the hands of a murderer and should be sentenced as such.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Barb La Crosse, WI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:45:29 GMT

How can you forget that you have a child in the backseat of your car for 8 hours? How can you simply forget that you physically placed that child in their carseat and/or buckled them in. I am the mother of 3 grown daughters and a 3.5 yr old little boy. I have never been so distracted or in such a hurry as to forget them being in my car, not for 1 second much less 8 hours.... I feel this mom should have some jail time and maybe even have soemone come in and evaluate her skills as a mom with her other child/children. This is so sad... How many more children asre going to have to suffer at the hands of the people they trust the most? Mom and Dad...My heart is with this little girl, may shse find peace in GODs loving kingdom....

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

dallas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:46:41 GMT

This is a gut-wrenching tragedy. It is hard to imaging forgetting your child was in the car. I am, however, shocked at the utter vitrol of some of these comments, though. While YOU may have never made such a tragic lapse, to accuse this tragic woman of doing this purposly is hateful. Her life is over. She very well may commit suicide, and that probably please some of you from the tone of your comments. Do you go to church? There but for the grace of God go I.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lyn, Nassau, Bahamas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:47:59 GMT

This is a horrifying loss, but people out there, put yourself in this mother's shoes. Your rushing to get to a meeting, you remember to get the donuts and because you usually stick to a routine, your minds registers that you should head to work. Your child is asleep so she makes no sound. this woman is devastated and will pay for this for the rest of her life. she is a prisoner already. God bless her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dana T., Louisville, ky — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:48:31 GMT

There are too many parents that harm their children and say they didn't mean to, when in all actually it turned out that they did. There has to be consequences to parents that use the excuse they are to busy with their hectic schedules to remember they have a child in the car. Is this the new way to commit child abuse and get away with it.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Glenda Reyes, Cerritos, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:48:43 GMT

A mother may be so busy with her career but to work for 8 hours and not think for a second about your kids, wonder how they are doing, what they are doing if they are safe within that 8 hour range...I wonder if this was an accident or intentional. It's true it's a tragedy to know you have killed ur own child and you may live with that everyday to punish you. Let us just pray that this problem can be addressed soon as more and more kids are dying in cars accidentally.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Judy Frymark, Merrill, WI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:48:57 GMT

I agree that she should be charged. If a paid daycare provider had left this child alone on a bus or van and the child died, he/she would likely be charged and would definitely be sued. Why should we hold parents to a lesser stannard? Parents often face lesser charges for abusing or neglecting their own children than strangers or paid care-givers. But what is more damaging to a child, being neglected or abused by your own mother or father, or by a stranger?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

John Candelaria, Denver, Colo — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:49:38 GMT

It just sadden me that parents today do not care for their childrens and unforturnate event cause the loss of life. I send my condolences to the family of the child, but the Mother should face some kind of charges. I know that she should very bad about her child,and I pray that she realizes her mistake and can get some help for the emotional problem she'll have.I hope that people will not be hard on her,she'll have to live with her mistake the rest of her life

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Maureen Dickson, New York — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:49:46 GMT

There is no mistake here! How can you forget your CHILD for 8 hours?! This means she did not think of her child at all during the day? Doesn't she call the babysitter at least once a day to check up on the kid? For those sympathetic readers - give me a break! She CAUSED this death and should definitely go to jail. MANSLAUGHTER IS A CRIME - SIMPLE AS THAT! Her other child should also be taken away for its safety. What if she is too depressed to care for this child now?

I would NEVER leave my cat unattended in a hot car - not even for a second. So I can't imagine leaving a small helpless human! What if the car gets stolen? What if it gets rear-ended while parked? Taking care of children shouldn't be "routine" or an after-thought! Parents MUST always be aware of their child's safety every single second of every single day until they turn 30!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

John King, Houston,Tx — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:49:55 GMT

after reading most of the opinions expressed, i'm amazed at how heartless and unforgiving some people are. never say never. this poor women will suffer for the rest of her life. she needs help and support not a jail term. leave the prosecution to the prosecutors. if they think she shouldn't go to jail i'm fine with that. i'm also amazed at what poor spellers some people are

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

M. Adkins — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:50:01 GMT

thou shall not judge,however this is very hard not to judge! as a mother this make's me sick. yes she'll have to live with it. as a absent minded person one can forget anything! but one's small child!!! for 8 hr. come on!this lady can live with it from a cell she baked her child for pity sake,things like this is why there is little respect for our justice system!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kate, Bellevue NE — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:50:03 GMT

This woman is an assistant principal at a middle school. This means that she has a responsibility of help keeping all those kids safe on a daily basis. As a mother and educator I never forgot to check the backseat for my child. I am surprised that the babysitter did not call and ask her where the child was. I really question her ability to watch over and keep the students at her school safe now. It seems now that a day does not go by that you hear about a parent forgetting their child in a car. I do believe that she needs to spend some time in jail and to be removed from her position at the school.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Leigh McClure, Newport, Vermont — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:50:04 GMT

In my opinion, this tragic accident is indicative, as well as symbolic, of the typical American mother, who is faced, on a daily basis, with impossible, almost superhuman demands on her time. Not only should all fathers wake up and realize that women need all the help and support they can get, but employers as well should step back and examine how much they expect of their employees. Obviously, this mom had too much "on her plate". My prayers are with this poor lady, who's live as irrevocably been forever changed. May God be with her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lowell Riggs, Yakima, WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:52:20 GMT

It seems they need to change their laws. This seems to be the first time a parent has gotten away from criminal charges for killing their kid in such a mannor. The words "Negligent Homicide" ring a bell.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lori P, Lexington, KY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:52:42 GMT

The child was expected somewhere and I find it hard to believe that it wasn't missed by the daycare or babysitter. The mother unintentially killed her child and however awfully sad that is, she still should be accountable legally. She was reckless while not driving. This is unvoluntary vehicular manslaughter, the car just was not moving.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sandie, Chicago, IL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:52:42 GMT

I find it disheartening how many people are out for this poor woman's blood. We all should know that she will suffer slready her entire life for this loss, as will her family. I don't think the decision to not prosecute was based on her financial status - it was a horrible, HORRIBLE tragedy - but it was an accident. I am a busy mother and divorced so my children are often with their father - my routine changes DAILY. I often find myself thinking when I wake up - are the kids here today? Or checking their rooms just to make sure that I haven't forgotten that they are home or away. It is not as simple as "she remembered the donuts but not her child" so the conclusion must be that the donuts were her priority? Perhaps we have all just been lucky enough that at the last minute we remembered - that the phone wasn't ringing with some crisis - or something else pulled us away at that precise moment when tragedy befell someone that we love(d).

We have all been guilty at some time, just lucky enough to catch it in time.

This mother has lost a child - and her poor child has suffered a horrible death that she has to live with and relive the horror of every day and night of her life. Does anyone really think that jail could punish her more than she is already being punished?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dana Beveridge, Santa Barbara, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:53:05 GMT

I'm a full-time working mother of a 2 1/2 year old and a 7 month old. No matter how hectic my life gets...children, work, husband,etc...I cannot imagine ever "forgetting" my child!? No matter how busy my day, a big part of my mind is on my babies, how they are doing,etc. Didn't she stop to think about her child at least once during the day?? Check up on her at childcare?? Maybe that would have triggered her memory that she never dropped her off. I definitely think that she should be fired and that charges should be leveled against her. No matter how remorseful she is, it doesn't take away from the horrific death that child suffered. Interesting that she sure didn't forget those donuts, though.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Paul D — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:54:59 GMT

If this mother cannot remember that she left her child in her car how can she be responsible enough to be the principal of a school?? It would not ne a school I would want my child to attend. How many times did she walk past her car without noticing her child in the seat. She sure seemed to be aware that the doughnuts were still there! This is appauling to me that nothing is done. In her hectic scheduele of forgetfullness I hate to think of what could happen to the child she still has. This is a sad thing that should hold the person responsible that was caring for a helpless 2 year old.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

common sense, pa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:55:00 GMT

She cared more about the donuts...she remembered them! That child was obviously was low on her list of importent things if a simple change of schedule could cause her to forget her daughter...her focus was on everything but that child and the child should have come first... before donuts or meeting. We have become a society that is so used to pawning off our children that when we do have to care for them for a few extra minutes we forget that they are our responsiblity. She should have been prosecuted if for no other reson but to send a message to parents that you are responsible for your children and if you choose to become a parent your focus needs to be on them. I bet she didn't forget her purse either...you won't want to leave your cell phone in a hot car...it might get damaged! Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Robin B, Kingston, TN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:55:33 GMT

First, what I don't understand is, why have other parents been charged and she's not? Didn't the other parents make a "mistake" too?

Secondly, I think it's nuts that people are saying "Oh, we all have hectic lives and anyone would have done it". Hmmm.......I don't think so! That's nuts! If part of your every day routine was to drop your child off at the daycare, how do you forget? What about when someone gets out of the car and turns around to grab their purse, laptop, bags of groceries, whatever, do you not see the kid? Are they blind? I guess I just don't understand how busy and/or scatterbrained you'd have to be to do this. Sorry to sound mean but she needs to serve time. I hope she's not responsible for dropping her 5 year old off anywhere.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

violet fernandez — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:56:46 GMT

I know there is no excuse for what happened to mrs. slaby.But my heart goes out to this woman. I remember when my 3 boys were small I had hectic days but I would always know where they were.But as a mother and grandmother this woman is suffering I don't think she meant this to happen.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

D Lockhart, Nassau, Bahamas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:58:01 GMT

I think there must be something wrong with the justice system in the U.S. The man who forgot a dog in his car last week is going to be prosecuted because the dog died, and a mother who did the same thing this week will not be prosecuted because the law feels sorry for her? Does anybody else see something wrong with this picture?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

pam sarasota, fl — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:58:11 GMT

when i found out about this i just couldn't believe it. this is occuring all the time all over the place. in her case i feel that she paid the ultimate price for this, unfortunately the price was her child. i don't think she should serve prison time but, i do think this should be further investigated. i don't see how during the time it took her to back her car up, to get out and get the donuts out of the backseat where her child was for her not to notice she had not taken her to the sitter. she wasn't driving a bus. i can understand in another case of a professor forgeting his child because he didn't normally drop her off and didn't grab anything out of the backseat for him to forget but, not her. any how she will have to live with it for the rest of her life and that would be horrible! i can't imagine living with myself if i did that to my little boy. i pray for her family and her to find conseling. i think she needs to definitely take a few months off from her career. if she was stressed before she is definitely stressed now and i wouldn't want her to be supervising my child under those conditions.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

HMORGIE, Lexington, Texas — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:58:38 GMT

Ok this woman is an Assisstant principal, with other children left in her care??? How can you just forget your child. This is a public school where she parked in a public parking lot....NO ONE NOTICED???

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Shyla Olson, Minong, Wisconsin — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:58:48 GMT

This story makes me sick to my stomach, it is so horrible! There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for this and this woman should be punished. How could she be at work for 8 hours and not once think about her daughter? I have 2 young children and even on my busiest days at work, I still think and talk about my children. If she would have forgot for 5 minutes it could have been forgivable but for 8 hours, she should have to sit in a hot car strapped in for 8 hours as well. They charge people who leave their pets in their hot cars, where did the system goo wrong here? My heart goes out to that poor little girl crying, strapped in her car seat, sweating and baking to death.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Told_ya. Lincoln NE — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:59:04 GMT

All I have to say is that....if this was a babysitter, not the mother....you better damn believe that mother would be pushing for charges agaist the "forgetful babysitter" This is no different and she needs to be punished. People go to jail for car ACCIDENTS...meaning they didn't mean for it to happen, they had no intent...but they got punished. Why is she any different?!?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sandra, Pomona, NY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:01:39 GMT

I am a mother of 3 children, and I think about all of them through the day (everyday). Do you mean to tell me she didn't think about her child once all day? HMMMMM? I wonder what my baby is doing? What is she learning today? Is she okay?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

A woman sitting on a farm — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:01:44 GMT

Once again the headlines are of a child dying in an enclosed, hot vehicle. According to the statistic quoted, this has happened 340 times in the United States of America during the past 10 years. We will never know how many young children are saved each year from this fate by their babysitter taking the time and effort to reach a parent and inquire as to the child's whereabouts. I am sure that many lives have been saved by caring childcare workers.
A caregiver's responsibility begins when the child is left in their care, therefore a caregiver has no obligation to contact the parent and inquire about the child's whereabouts. So I am not placing the blame on any childcare worker who has not called a parent to inquire; after all, she/he is also busy.
But I would like to point out that a caregiver who takes the time and effort to inquire about a child who is unexpectedly absent, is doing a heroic act whether the child is in danger or not.
So I applaud all the childcare workers who do this seemingly small act because she/he is truly a HERO.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

msb1107, Lexington, SC — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:02:00 GMT

This was a heartbreaking and tragic mistake and she should not be charged. It is my understanding that she typically was not the one that drove the child to daycare. In the midst of her morning stops and drive to school, she simply forgot that she had the child. With the stressful schedules that most two parent working households have, it's not surprising to me that this is happening more and more often. And it's really sad, because it's happening to well educated parents, who obviously loved their child. The death of a child is one of the hardest things that a parent will ever have to endure. I cannot imagine the anguish a parent must feel when they contributed to the childs death. She will have to live with this for the rest of her life. I think the DA is understanding and I am grateful for the compassion that he has shown this poor woman. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kimberly Barnes, Louisville, KY — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:02:27 GMT

This is what that baby went through...
Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes. Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness. However some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly without warning.

Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heat stroke. But common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:

high body temperature
the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
rapid pulse
difficulty breathing
strange behavior
hallucinations
confusion
agitation
disorientation
seizure
coma

That child did not die quick. She died horribly, and her "mother" gets to walk free and raise another child along with other children. Stick her in the same car and let her die just as slowly as her baby did. Give her some doughnuts though. You wouldn't want to forget those now, would you?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jane, Vancouver WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:02:45 GMT

She didn't see her child in the back seat because of new technology you have a dash cam that allows you to see outside while backing up from the comfort of your dash. How about a dash cam that allows us to see what is in the back seat.

Forgetting your child...heart breaking that our society can put us in that position.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Carolyn Waker, Baltimore, MD — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:02:49 GMT

I feel sorry for all the people who are angry with this grieving mother. One day after just having my little girl, I went to the front of my house to put her dirty diaper in the washing machine. I noticed smoke coming out of the furnace room. I attempted to put out the fire and when that did not work, I ran out of the house. I was comforted that my sons were out in the neighborhood selling candy. Once I was outside of the house, I realized that I had forgotten my precious daughter. She is thirty-three years old now, but I still feel guilty that I forgot my child. Fortunately, when I remembered her and ran back into the house the hot water heater had put out the fire and she was not hurt. Please put yourselves in this mother's shoes and pray that one day she will be able to forgive herself.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Joanna Wing, Coldwater, Michigan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:03:37 GMT

As the mother of three boys ages ranging from 3 to 9 yrs. and working a full time job from 40 hrs to 60 hr weeks also keeping up with home. There is nothing that would have made me forget my child in my car. What made me the most concerned about this "mistake" is the way she looked into the camera. I feel that as a mother she should have even throughout the day called to check on her child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

N. Horst, Plano, TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:05:06 GMT

My question is why wasn't the child removed from the car seat and taken in when the mother went in to buy the donuts in the first place? Whenever you leave your car, your child should go in with you. Period.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Stacey, Montana — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:05:23 GMT

I'm sorry - but HOW THE HELL do you forget your child in the car. I don't by that crap. We are all busy and we all have hectic lives - but HOW can you forget your child in the car??

I also heard the broadcast blaming the system for carseats placed in the backseat (due to not being able to be in the front seat), as part of the problem. COME ON!!! Give me a break!

Lets stop with the excuses and start being responsible.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

kate — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:05:44 GMT

I am sorry but there is something fishy about this tragic event. If she wined that she had to be everything to everyone --where was her being" everything" to her daughter in the car? I really can't believe that she forgot her child was in the car and remembered the stupid donuts! Distracted by donuts! This is so heartbreakingly sad. She was so careless and on other occasions as well--so there was a clear pattern of neglecting this child. I think that she needs therapy and for a long time. This is not something the District Attorney should close the book on and walk away. IF she was distracted and overworked before--this will surely push her over the edge and she does have another child that needs to be carefully watched by someone other than her.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Stefani Janosco, Seattle WA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:05:48 GMT

I read a recent article about a study that indicates the rise in deaths from children being left in cars coincides with the law that makes them ride in their car seats in the back because of danger from airbags. The theory of why good parents forget their children is basically "out of sight, out of mind"--due to the way our brains rely on visual cues it's a lot easier to forget a sleeping child in the front seat than in than in the back. With all the stress in people's lives today and the necessity for both parents to work full-time while raising children, forgetfulness is understandable, if not excusable. Who has not had a mind lapse at some point? At the same time, perhaps busy people should thoroughly evaluate what percentage of their time and energy that have available to devote to children before having them. Many animal shelters require this before you adopt a dog or cat, why is not the same forethought required to start a family?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Julie in Florida — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:06:17 GMT

My thoughts and prayers are with this mother she is definitly going to need it. My question is what is the father's reaction to this?? Or is there a father??

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

MW, Frisco, TX — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:06:25 GMT

I am a mother of a 3 year old that my husband and I adopted at a year old. Never in our sleep deprived, ever changing scheduled lives have we FORGOTTEN about our daughter. Everytime I see a story like this it makes me very angry. Please always check your car before walking away.

I know the mother did not mean to do this, however it was murder by plain stupidity. I could never "forget" about my daughter. If your life is busy enough that you could, then you should change the priorities in your life.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jane Doe 2 — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:06:54 GMT

Did this mother leave the child in the car while picking up the donuts? It probably is a habit of hers. I think the incident should be thoroughly investigated, complete with a psychological test. She probably could use some help.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Wendy Ellen, Long Beach, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:07:35 GMT

Is anyone else wondering what she did with her child while she was in getting the donuts? Did she leave the baby alone in the car? If she didn't how could she forget then when she arrived at school since she had taken the child out once. If she did leave it in the car while she shopped for donuts you have a pattern of leaving this child behind. With all the carjackings that happen who would still leave their small child alone in a car while they went inside somewhere. She is criminally negligent.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sharon Couch — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:10:04 GMT

It is so sad to see that the world is so unforgiving. This could easily happen to me or you. If you have some kind of God in your life, you will believe that mistakes can happen. It must be unbearable to live with this mistake. May God Bless this family. Judge not yest you be judge.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

maureen jerga — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:10:50 GMT

Anyone who would forget a helpless two year old for 8 hours is negligent. I can see 20 minutes, an hour, but no thought of a life dependent on you for 8 hours? Negligence. She needs to be tried and let twelve peers consider this.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

M. Welch — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:12:09 GMT

If she was sooo busy to forget her child in a hot car, why would she have time for doughnuts?? and how could she not forget the doughnuts in the back? Also, her negligence did endanger and cause the death of her child so why should she just walk away from this? In the police interview she never once mentioned her poor child, she only mentioned herself. I have a 1 1/2 year old daughter and if that was me, I would be thinking of my poor baby and not just how "incompetent" I was. Something seems wrong with that. Which brings to mind, can people get away with being the cause of their childrens death and then cry and say it was an accident and then walk away??? She needs to be punished! Im scared for her 5 year old!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Rebecca, McHenry, IL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:12:15 GMT

Its obvious she did not do this intentionally and will pay for it for the rest of her life. Accidents happen all the time. Rest assured that this mother will never forgive herself for causing the death of her child and that is punishment enough in this case. Her other child is in no way in more harm because this happened because I guarantee that this mother will never ever take her eyes off of her remaining child. I agree that when things like this happen it is angering, but there is a difference between an obviously distraught mother, and one who intentionally harms their child.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Erika Morales, Brandon, Florida — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:12:29 GMT

I feel bad for this lady having lost her daughter BUT..... She left her in that car, How could she not remember her baby in the back seat ? I'm 23yrs old, I have 3 kids, and a husband, so that makes it 4 kids. But my husband is not there in the morning when i have to take my 8yr old to school then my 3yr old and my six month old to day-care, he's at work, So i have a lot to do in the morning before going to work, but yet I have NEVER forgoten about my kids in the back seat and there are times where I have to stop at the bank, then the gas station, and then to pick up breakfast, and my two younger ones are asleep in the back but i always remember them. How could she have forgotten her 2yr old ? their is a video survalience of her taking something out of the trunk of her vehicle, What, did she not see her daugther there ?
I'm sure she was able to see her daugther from where she was standing. How is this any diferent from a mother leaving her baby in a bath tub full of water for a few minuetes and coming back to find that child dead ? This is not different at all. Thia mother even though she must be going through her own hell at the moment needs to serve time. I cant believe they just let her go. She should be allowed to be there for her daugthers funeral, but then sent to jail. I feel bad saying that but she needs to be punished for what happened. Her other daugther has to be kept in mind, for that daugther that is alive well, she must be going through the worst time in her life. and if she losses her mother it'll just make it worse for her. this case is sooo hard to make a judgement on because you have to look at every angle of this case.
And stopping to get donuts is no excuse for forgetting her daugther. That is the most sorry excuse ever. And just for the record for those moms that like to forget about their babies in the car while shopping or what not, if I was to ever see a baby left in a car no parents in sight windows rolled up I will break them windows to get that baby out, I dont care if I get sued or put in jail a kids life is worth it.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Keith, Denver, CO — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:12:45 GMT

This is just another example of the downfall of American values in terms of our children. Yes, this is tragic and the lady deserves some sort of punishment. On the other hand or priorties get so mixed up in this country of ours we tend to forget the important things, ie family. The childseat alone should have reminded her that the child was in the car. In my city there are more kids that die of being run over by their parents in driveways, then there are of kids dying in hot cars. Its sad in both circumstances and sometimes accidents happen. It's a difference when your leave your kid in the car to go to work and simply forget, versuses leaving your kid in the car to go to a brothal! Regardless. Wake the Freck up America! Put God and family first. I pray for us all. God Bless.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Melissa Marietta, Ohio — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:13:12 GMT

I am a mother of a 2 year old toddler. When I heard this story I was so sadden and mad at the same time that a mother forgot to drop her child off at the babysitters. If she remembered to get dounuts then you would of thought she could remember that innocent child in the carseat sleeping! I can only imagine what child went thorugh. The heat in the car, the screaming and crying! Being hungry and thirsty all at the same time!! I can't imagine the pain that this little one went through!!! If I had done something like this, I would want to go to jail for along time! No child should go through of what happend. This lady should be punished to the full extent! No questions asked!! My prayers go out to the extened family as well as the siblings.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

M. Welch — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:14:31 GMT

why does everyone feel terrible for the woman, why arent the comments feeling terrible for the child??

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Sandy Richardson — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:14:32 GMT

I am so sorry for the loss of this precious child. You hear of this happening way to often. As busy as my mornings are, I would certainly hope that things would never get that bad...to forget my child? You would think that through the course of the day, something would go off in your head to remind you of your child and that you never took him/her to the child care provider. It should be a law that all child care providers contact the parents when a child doesn't show up at daycare/babysitter. I know that schools contact me when my children are absent. Shouldn't providers of younger children do the same?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Karen, Waukesha WI — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:14:54 GMT

Children are a precious gift from God. This child didn't ask to be born. As a parent, you giveup the right to think of yourself first. Children are dependent human beings. They look to us as their parents for comfort, and daily care. The earlier suggestions of putting something you need in the back seat is excellent. Too bad that the need to do that is apparent with the number of children dying in this horrible fashion. The suggestions for technical devices is a sign of the times for parents that are so into the technical products that they can't use their common sense to guide them even where their children are concerned.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Gowri Singh, Sunnyvale CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:15:15 GMT

How can a mother not even think of her child once in an eight hr time span? If she didn't then there is something really wrong with her and she should not be allowed to keep her other child or work in a school. This woman MUST go to prison or else she is going to harm more children by simple forgetting them.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Donna, Lake Mary FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:15:22 GMT

I am more sickened by the hatred in many of these messages than I am by the terrible accident. No one has a right to pass judgment on this woman based on what you have read in an article. I have cried for this woman several times today and it will be along time before I can forget the pain that I see her suffering in the video. She is living my worst nightmare. During the years that my children were babies, I was always afraid that I could make this mistake. Several times I headed straight home from work rather than going to the daycare - forgetting that today was my day to do the pick up. Does that mean I am a bad parent? I even once got all the way to work, driving right past my daycare center and then realized that I had forgotten to go there first. I didn't forget that I had children...I didn't put something like donuts first...I simply was on auto-pilot. Driving does that to people.

How can anyone make reference to her chosing donuts over her child? Clearly she didn't do this on purpose...choosing to make the donuts more important. Those are idiotic statements and you should be ashamed to make them. And what on earth does it matter what kind of car she drives? And I have never once called my daycare during the day to check on my child ( unless they were ill ) nor have they ever called me if I didn't bring my child in.

It is so sad that so many people think that they are flawless and unable to make these kinds of mistakes. They happen everyday to normal everyday people just like you. We make choices every day that could effect someones life - especially when we are behind the wheel! Everyone of us is capable of making a mistake that could have horrific consequences. I would have hoped that we would be more supportive of each other - especially mothers to mothers! What kind of society are we that mothers judge other mothers in this way?

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Donna Basford, Chattanooga, TN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:16:36 GMT

I'll tell you this much. I have two children now 22 and 19. At no time did I think it was ok to leave them in the car unattented for one single second. I remember as a smoker, in the winter, I would place my daughter in her snowsuit, strap her in the carseat. Then go less than a mile to the store, get her out and go in for a lousy pack of Marlboros. I never let them out of my sight or in the car by themselves. Didn't this mother look in her windows? She took the time to back her vehicle up to the school to deliver her donuts and then still park the car. She had three chances to "remember" she didn't take her child to the babysitter. This is disgraceful. She should be punished.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kimberly Medrano, Central Point, Oregon — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:18:05 GMT

I feel strongly that this woman should be punished as a criminal. Forgetting about your child is unforgiveable. It's automatic to turn around and look to the back when you are backing up, how could she miss her own daughter? Plus, on the video, she is only concerned about herself and seems to be making excuses about trying to be everything to everyone!!! Why is she not mentioning her baby daughter? And how can she be talking about going back to work? True regret and heartbreak goes all the way to the core of your being; a loving mother would not be able to see past the next few hours, much less be planning to return to a job that obviously consumed her. Where is the father in all of this? I don't recall hearing. I agree that if she was a poverty level parent driving an old car and left her baby in the car to go work a minimum wage job there would be a lynch mob after her. She needs to be in jail right now, and then spend some time in prison. Maybe after several years of being locked in a cell without all the distractions of her busy existence, she will learn to slow down and appreciate the daughter she has left that she didn't kill. I am a mother of 4 children and they and their safety are always the first thing on my mind, and my life is plenty full. I can't imagine taking my children outside without sunblock, let alone forgetting them in the 100 plus degree car for 8 hours. It is appalling that anybody could make an excuse for killing your own child. Any excuse would be pathetic but being too busy is enough to make me sick to my stomach. Every word that came out of that womans mouth was selfish. She needs to be locked up for a long time. An example needs to be made. Nobody should be able to get away with killing their child. Maybe all the people who are so busy and self absorbed will take a moment to focus on their children, or even not have them if the kids aren't going to be the number one priority, if they see that when people kill their children they are sent to prison. Take care of your children as they deserve to be taken care of and stay out of prison, neglect them and murder them and you go to prison. Seems logical enough.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

njd — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:19:03 GMT

Once again, our own countries failures. Women who have to work to support a family instead of being able to stay home to care for their young. She probably had alot on her mind. Counseling is what I would suggest. It is very sad indeed and I cannot imagine the remorse she must feel. Our countries prison system is NOT THE ANSWER though. I think people above are reacting with anger, without really delving into the issues involved. Involuntary manslaughter? The court should decide if she was performing as a competent person at the time or if she has some sort of health or mental issues. It is really too sad to think about.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Jane Marzillo — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:19:19 GMT

No one seems to realize that this woman was WARNED several times to TAKE HER BABY OUT OF THE CAR!!!! She left the child in the car in WINTER and got the first warning specific to her. Then, a letter went out to all the parents to remind them about leaving children behind. It's obvious that this point was left out of the story.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Debbie, Carlisle, PA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:21:31 GMT

It is sad what happened to this family, but as a mother myself I can never understand when I hear these stories when people say they forgot they left their children in the car. If they put their children in the car, they have to remember whether or not they took them back out. How hard is it to look around the inside of your car before you get out to make sure you took care of everything you were suppose to do that morning and dropped everyone off where they were suppose to go? That should be common practice for a parent and/or caregiver. I even do that with my grandchildren to make sure I have their diaper bags/overnight gear.

It's not for me to judge whether this woman should go to jail for the rest of her life or at all, but I do hope someone is keeping an eye on the other child until the mom has her priorities together.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kyran Francis , issaquah washington — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:21:42 GMT

I THINK HER CHILD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT DONUTS FOR HER CO-WORKERS.. HOW COULD SHE NOT SEE HER CHILD?? I ALWAYS LOOK BACK AND SEE IF I AM MISSING SOMETHING OR IF MY CAR LOOKS FINE YOU'D HAVE TO SEE A CHILD IN THE CAR..I THINK SHE SHOULD HAVE TO DO SOMETIME IN JAIL BUT LIVING WITH KNOWING YOU KILLED YOU CHILD IS PUNISHMENT ENOUGH..!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Nick Powell, Cleveland, OH — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:22:34 GMT

I'm sorry if this offends anyone but I think this mother should be put to death. She left her daughter to be tortured in blistering heat until she passed away. I am a mother of a beautiful little boy and there is no way in hell that I would leave him in a car while I went to work. Not only do I believe she should be punished but I believe her actions were intentional. I really don't by that story about her having so much to do. When your schedule is busy you forget small things like letting the dog outside or turning off the iron. You don't forget your child is in the car while you go to work. How do you become so addicted to routine that one day of not being able to stick to it means you kill your child? I CAN say that would never happen to me because I love my son and would never murder him.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

VJ, Minneapolis, MN — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:22:43 GMT

I haven't read all the responses, but do want to share some tips that I heard about one time. If you are afraid of forgetting your child, put something next to the child's car seat that you have to take into work with you; a briefcase, your cell phone, your wallet or purse- something that will force you to open the door and find the child.

I feel no anger for this mother - only sadness. I haven't left my children in the car; but I did one time not pay attention to my 2-year-old son in the parking lot of a library while inspecting the bumper of my van after a fenderbender. Fortunately he was safe, but it brought home how quickly one can be taken up with other events.

Don't judge this woman or others too quickly until you have walked a mile in their shoes.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

James Ascher Alantic Beach, Florida — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:23:26 GMT

We are not to judge ! Jesus said in the BIBLE those
who are without sin let them cast the first stone!I
wonder how many have prayer for this women ? Have we
become selfish in our self-frist ,self serve generation.Remember LOVE is something we do not just something we say! We all need to LOVE more...

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Cristy, Montgomery, AL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:23:45 GMT

I am a recovering alocoholic and in July of 2001, I left my 10 month baby daughter in the car while i went skinny dipping in an apartment complex swimming pool. When the police came to arrest me for trespassing because i didn't live at the apartments, someone said they had heard a baby crying in a car. It was my daughter and the police found her and took her to the er where she was given fluids for deyhration. My entire life i never thought something like that could happen to me. I was smart, funny, popular, well loved, good family... but it happened. I have no memory of the day or any of the events leading up to my arrest because of my intoxication and being in a blackout. That doesn't stop the pain that overwhelms me when i think about what happened, or when i get into a car on a hot summers day and can barely breathe because of the heat. I know people's opinion of what happended to my daughter because the media ran with the story. I also know that it was God's amazing grace that shielded my daughter that day when i was unable to care for her. It is God's amazing grace that i can hold my head up today without the guilt and shame that God paid with His life, at Calvary. Our debt has been paid in full...For by grace are ye saved through faith. Moms and dads, let us not forget that we are born into this world as flesh and blood and we never know what is going on in someone else's mind and life. For me, i know that i can not say that would never happen to me. We are not in control. Death teaches us how much we are not in control. My daughter will be 7 years old tomorrow and i know one day i will tell her what happened. i don't know how she will feel about me after finding out, but if i have raised her to know and understand God's grace and forgiveness, she will love me even more.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

american mom — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:24:07 GMT

I dont understand how so many kids are killed this way! you have to have a license to fish but anyone can be a parent. i dont ever even go into a store and leave a kid in a car! that should be her first clue! its all horrible!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Myra Welch, Germantown, Tennessee — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:24:13 GMT

The court & Public could never punish this mother to
the extent that she will be punishing herself in the
years to come, she has lost someone that can never be
replaced...When my children were small, we took camping trips and I once stopped by to pickup my husband's brother & sister, we were waiting on a phone
call before leaving their house...the call came and I
instructed all the children to get into the truck which had a topper on it with a pass through window,
we left the house and I instructed the older children
to pass the baby...2yr old...up to the cab with me...
she was not there...during the excitement...we had left her at my mother in laws (no one home)...of course I about went crazy wondering where she was,
had we drove off and left her in the yard...was she
getting into the truck and I ran over her...as it
turned out she had been rambling in the mother-in-law's room (she smelled very much like perfume) when
we got back and opened the door...there she was of
course Crying and Scared...but safe...This lady is
guilty of doing what lots of us are guilty of doing
too many irons in the fire! I always say if you haven't walked in that person's shoes...then you really don't know what you would have done....you have
to have the same sort of thing happen...it only takes
a small change in your daily routine in this fast paced world to make major things happen. We recently
had the same type of thing happen to a youth minster
at a local church...the routine changed..his wife usually dropped off the child at day care/ this date
he had to drop him off and being late for a meeting
already and trying to schedule a youth conference via
his cell phone...all these things were part of his
busy day and add to that a baby asleep in the back
seat out of sight...Same Results...Child Lost Forever!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Hannah, San Diego, CA — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:24:24 GMT

Isn't it enough that she has to live with that guilt for the rest of her life? Mistakes happen; this one just happens to be bigger than most. It's tragic, but there's no reason to make it more so by locking her up and separating her from her other child, who needs her love and support at this time.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Carol B., Elizabethtown, Ky — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:25:08 GMT

First of all, I am disappointed in the Today Show showing this mom's interview with the police. She is suffering enough. We all make mistakes, some end in tragedy. This mom will never forget what she did to her 2 year daughter. She will live with guilt forever. We need to face it, she is a mom and God only knows what she feels inside. I do not agree with a poll being conducted to determine whether she needs to be prosecuted or not. Is that really our choice to make? I do not know her personally but, I know she is human and she definitely has feelings. You could tell by the interview with the police that this mom may never recover from what she has done. I could not believe that after the story was shown you switched to the audience outside, only to show a 2 year old child. How distasteful. This mom is suffering and what she needs right now is prayer and guidance thru this ordeal. What she did was defintely wrong and we can all ask "What if?" I'm sure she has asked that question many times. I have 3 children and I worked every day and took them to daycare too and I never forgot them. I cannot understand how someone can forget they have a passenger in their vehicle. But, it has happened. Don't forget this little girl had a "daddy", where was he? It proves that we are so consumed in the fast pace of daily living. Most women today have careers, take care of their homes and their children. This should be an eye opener to the Fathers as well. You need to take your role too. I blame the father just as much. He knew she had the early meeting he could have offered to take the children. There will, I'm sure be alot of finger pointing and again, "What ifs". I am praying for this mom and the family. They will have a lot of healing ahead of them.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kelly,Cassville,Mo. — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:25:33 GMT

Everyone makes mistakes although most of them are not nearly as costly. Everyone is so quick to judge others. There is no greater tragedy than the death of a child. This was a terrible mistake and no sentence placed on the mother will ever come close to the guilt that she is feeling right now. My prayers are with her and her family.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kari, Pensacola,FL — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:26:01 GMT

This is wonderful American justice at its best. Micheal Vick kills some pitbulls and can face PRISON TIME, This woman kills her child and gets nothing. Lets recap what we've taught our children this year. As long as you are a white woman who pleads and cries and is somewhat wealthy, you dont have to abide by ay laws or be punished. Anything else we want to cover this year AMERICA?? This is sick. Lets get with the program. She needs atleast manslaughter i dunno 3rd degree? Maybe 10 years? SOMETHING. For goodness sakes she was looking at the camera during her questioning! COME ON!!!!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Lisa Craig Saint Augustine, fl — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:27:35 GMT

My heart goes out to the family. This is something I cannot understand how it happens. AS a mother myself my child is forever on my mind. I find it hard to concentrate on anything else other than my son. That being said 340 "accidental" childrens deaths from being left alone by the people they so depend on and trust the most is too much. Maybe the car seat manufacturers need to get involved. Like the air bags that get turned off in most cars when a child sits in the seat (under 70 pounds) maybe car seats need a scale like that. Once a five pound weight or more is in any car seat the alarm will go off once one exits the car. The alarm will be loud and will not be able to turn off. I mean come on people...we can turn one sex into the next I think we can figure out this too.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Kathy - MD — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:27:59 GMT

For those who have stated, or even thought this act was unforgivable - Everything is forgivable through God!

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Dana Rowe — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:28:06 GMT

As a mom myself, I am sorry for that woman's pain at loosing her child. The memory of it will hauant her for the rest of her life. That is enough punishment, she does not deserve any more.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

njd — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:29:29 GMT

Sheila Rubio's comment on sensors is the best idea I've heard. Why hasn't it happened yet engineers? Also, I agree she should resign and not be involved in the education system.

Ohio Mother Leaves Child in Car for 8 Hours

Yvonne, Oklahoma City, OK — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:29:30 GMT

Rene E., Pekin, IL said about a device to warn parents when this happens. A cheap and quick easy way to do this is - put something you NEED for work in the back seat with the child. Place your purse on the back seat. You need to take that into work with you - so you have to open the back door to get it out - or at least turn around in the seat. You will see the child when you go to get your purse, books, etc.