Hmmmm. You tell me. What should happen to this women?

[Liberty Belle]

For anyone who views this an accident...tell me...

what happens when a mother "accidentally" leaves her child in the car? And before you reply, here's something to factor in.

In the past 10 years, there have been about 340 heat-related deaths of children trapped in cars. Charges were filed in about half of those deaths. Of the cases that have gone to trial, 81 percent resulted in convictions or guilty pleas, half of which brought jail sentences.
http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/07/348604.aspx


...and I am in no way saying you are right or wrong. I'm just attempting to understand the logic

I'm not sure what exactly you're asking. I think most (I'm not counting those idiots who leave their kids in their cars on purpose) of these cases are accidents, too.

 

[NHdisneylover]

For anyone who views this an accident...tell me...

what happens when a mother "accidentally" leaves her child in the car? And before you reply, here's something to factor in.

In the past 10 years, there have been about 340 heat-related deaths of children trapped in cars. Charges were filed in about half of those deaths. Of the cases that have gone to trial, 81 percent resulted in convictions or guilty pleas, half of which brought jail sentences.
http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/07/348604.aspx


...and I am in no way saying you are right or wrong. I'm just attempting to understand the logic

I am not entirely sure what you are asking either. If you mean to rephrase the OPs question but have it be about a baby--well if it seemed to be truly an accidents (these things can and do happen to the best and most loving of people) then my answer would be the same (other than saying the parents should also likely receive counseling to handle the imense guilt and grief they are going through). Charges should be pressed against those who knowingly leave a baby (or dog, etc.) locked into a car because it is conveineint and they they don't think about how hot it will get, etc. (as in Mom know she has the baby but felt it was fine to leave the baby in the car while she got her hair cut or whatnot).

 

[ZachnElli]

For anyone who views this an accident...tell me...

what happens when a mother "accidentally" leaves her child in the car? And before you reply, here's something to factor in.

In the past 10 years, there have been about 340 heat-related deaths of children trapped in cars. Charges were filed in about half of those deaths. Of the cases that have gone to trial, 81 percent resulted in convictions or guilty pleas, half of which brought jail sentences.
http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/07/348604.aspx


...and I am in no way saying you are right or wrong. I'm just attempting to understand the logic

I'm not sure what you're asking either. 340 deaths in 10 years and half had charges brought up. So half of those 340 deaths were so obviously accidents no charges were brought up. And then 19% (according to what you posted) were not convicted because why? Maybe they were accidents too? So what happens when a mother "accidently" leaves her baby in? Well over half the time (according to what you posted) it really is an accident, that's what happens. Looks like you can answer that yourself.

 

[agame2323]

In Venice people used to have to appear before a masked Council to answer various charges (often anonymous). Simply by being ordered to appear before the Council there attached to the person an appearance of guilt. The poor person had no idea who was charging him, or whom his judges were. The trials were swift and often consisted of the masked judges counseling with each other, perhaps with the occasional interruption to ask a harsh and leading question to the person. Judgment would then be pronounced and the guilty party quickly taken away over the Bridge of Sighs, often still bewildered about what he (and often she) were charged with. The fate of the person was frequently unknown. They disappeared into utter darkness.

Thus on anonymous boards such as this. These poor people lost their 16 year old dog in an accident, by leaving the dog in the back of a car. Before the internet it may have been a local sensation for a day, then quickly forgotten. Those who knew the people would quickly realize the truth of the matter and there would be no loss of reputation or occupation.

Now, however, these poor people are being tossed around the anonymous Internet, subject to the outrage and condemnation of anonymous posters. Yesterday, only a few people knew these peoples names. Today, due to the wonder of the Internet, thousands will know their names before this day is over. Many of those thousands will mentally condemn these people for being careless, etc. This story will be copied and pasted to other message boards.

Why were these people’s story brought before this anonymous crowd by an anonymous poster? We have no idea. All we know is that someone unknown has brought forth these peoples names for us to consider, asking “hmm’, what do we think should be ‘done’ to these people.

It is, in many ways, just as frightening as what used to happen to those people of Venice of years long ago.

I agree with your statement however we all know times are different. The very “system” (i.e. Internet) that delivered this story you support and utilize. I would be willing to bet that you receive information from this source (albeit good or bad).

In this case I am not attempting to play judge or jury. When I ask, “what do you think should happen” it isn’t to convict, persecute, or slander. This type of topic is what you make it. You are choosing to read deeper into original intent of the question. The question didn’t say, “should she go to jail?” The question didn’t say, “should the husband go to jail” The question simply stated “what do YOU think should happen.”

Your historical recount has everything to do with the court of law and nothing to do with people expressing their opinion through FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Your demonstration is so far off it’s hard to understand your point. What do the judicial practices in Venice has to do with the expression of an opinion? Again, take what you want from the question. Just be careful with how much you take.

 

[agame2323]

I'm not sure what you're asking either. 340 deaths in 10 years and half had charges brought up. So half of those 340 deaths were so obviously accidents no charges were brought up. And then 19% (according to what you posted) were not convicted because why? Maybe they were accidents too? So what happens when a mother "accidently" leaves her baby in? Well over half the time (according to what you posted) it really is an accident, that's what happens. Looks like you can answer that yourself.

My point is someone paid the price. I didn’t post the numbers to demonstrate the amount of people. I did it to depict that something does happen when someone is “irresponsible.” To me the question isn’t whether it was an accident or not. The question is did the person involved act in a reckless manner? If so, some action / penalty should transgress. Its easy to call something an accident. However, when you are accountable for the well-being of someone or something (i.e. Animal ) you have a responsibility or obligation to protect and care for that person or thing. In this case, IF HER STORY IS TRUE, the woman involved truly should go free. But someone HAS to be held accountable because this was no accident. This was irresponsibly that resulted in the loss of a pet.

 

[Nancy]

Why do you look inside the windows when you get out? I understand looking in them before getting in, just not when getting out.

Those kinds of accidents do "just happen" which is why they are called ACCIDENTS.

Of course it was an accident, anything that happens out of the ordinary is an accident..but I do feel that there are preventable accidents and that is why I always check my car before getting in and when getting out...and my kids are older.

So why do I look before? To make sure no one is in there before I get in...I guess I watched too many scary movies where someone pops up from the backseat and you see them in the rear view mirror.

Getting out I do a quick glance..make sure doors are locked and nothing I need is left behind.

I have never understood how someone can not know their child is in the car...maybe it is those rear facing car seats that make it easier..my kids faced forward and it was very easy to see them in it just by doing a quick glance. That plus I always had the diaper bag on the front seat if the babies were with me, it would be there right by my purse, couldn't grab one without the other.


Back to the op...not sure what "should be done", yes, it was an accident..maybe she can do some PSA on it, not so much as punishment but to serve as a reminder to others...and her husband should be with her, more his fault than hers.

 

[Serena]

It was an accident. Some compassion is warranted.

 

[N&B'smom]

It was an accident. Some compassion is warranted.

Exactly.

 

[sms]

I'm sure it was an accident, but the article said she often took the dog to work with her. Wouldn't it be a habit to look for it when you got to work if you are use to him being in the car?

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Her husband should get the max penalty for the dog's death, but nothing should happen to her.

Really ?

I feel very bad for both of them there is nothing you can say or do to them that they are not doing to themself I am sure.

This is not a Mike Vic here its just a sad sad thing ! If she was NOT working for the SPCA would that have made a diffence to anyone ? Just asking .

I work with animals and I had my DD tiny little pom with me one morning taking her to work and when I opened the car door she jumped out of my lap . She had never done that before but she did that morning . I still have nightmares and that was 5 years ago . The poor little thing has a metal bar the length of her leg . There is nothing anyone can do or say to me about that horrible morning that I have not already punished myself with : (

 

[Jennasis]

I suppose if it were a child in the car, she would likely be charged with involuntary manslaughter, or something thereabouts. ACCIDENTALLY killing something/one is still a crime.

I wouldn't want to be in her shoes. The guilt, the stigma, the angst, the judgement.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Really ?

I feel very bad for both of them there is nothing you can say or do to them that they are not doing to themself I am sure.

This is not a Mike Vic here its just a sad sad thing ! If she was NOT working for the SPCA would that have made a diffence to anyone ? Just asking .

I work with animals and I had my DD tiny little pom with me one morning taking her to work and when I opened the car door she jumped out of my lap . She had never done that before but she did that morning . I still have nightmares and that was 5 years ago . The poor little thing has a metal bar the length of her leg . There is nothing anyone can do or say to me about that horrible morning that I have not already punished myself with : (

Well, I seriously doubt that the max penalty for this is all that serious. But he definitely deserves some punishment. He was an idiot to not tell her that he put the dog in the car and that idiocy led to the animal's death.

 

[griffinstorme]

they should lock her in a car for four hours and see how she likes it. hmph

 

[agame2323]

Really ?

I feel very bad for both of them there is nothing you can say or do to them that they are not doing to themself I am sure.

This is not a Mike Vic here its just a sad sad thing ! If she was NOT working for the SPCA would that have made a diffence to anyone ? Just asking .

I work with animals and I had my DD tiny little pom with me one morning taking her to work and when I opened the car door she jumped out of my lap . She had never done that before but she did that morning . I still have nightmares and that was 5 years ago . The poor little thing has a metal bar the length of her leg . There is nothing anyone can do or say to me about that horrible morning that I have not already punished myself with : (

If Mike Vick was still a no body back in Virginia would anyone care? I think we both know the answer to that one.

I think its important to understand who this lady is. She is the CEO of the Richmond SPCA. Had this been one of us making this “mistake” do you think she would be calling our actions accidental? It’s the irony of the situation that truly defines it. This lady was one of Michael Vick’s BIGGEST critics. However, after something like this her credibility takes a hit. It gives people the right to question the source. Funny how things work out.

One word. Negligence. It’s the principal of it. If you aren't watching your kids and they run into the street and get hit by a car, you have to accept SOME responsibility. No different in this case. To say nothing should happen to her is saying people shouldn't have to pay for their mistakes. Its called accepting responsibility.

She has to deal with the way she feels internally as with anyone who messes up in life. But if she is REALLY an advocate of what she believes in and represents, which is the fair treatment and well being of animals, then she will GLADLY accept whatever punishment is handed to her. That action would send the correct message to people. Not “oh it was an accident.” Or, “oh it was my husband’s fault.” Own up to it. Which is something she has yet to do. And some of you don’t seem to mind that. Strange.


For the record I believe she KNEW the dog was in the car. Now, perhaps mid way through her drive into work she FORGOT. But nonetheless, I believe she had knowledge and awareness of the animal’s presence. But in saying this I also believe she deserves to keep her job, just as Vick deserves to keep his.

 

[C.Ann]

Nothing should happen to her.. It was a tragic mistake - nothing more..

 

[C.Ann]

For the record I believe she KNEW the dog was in the car. Now, perhaps mid way through her drive into work she FORGOT. But nonetheless, I believe she had knowledge and awareness of the animal’s presence..

And what concrete proof of this do you have? Without a reliable source, it's an unfair statment for you to make..

 

[sbell111]

I'm sure it was an accident, but the article said she often took the dog to work with her. Wouldn't it be a habit to look for it when you got to work if you are use to him being in the car?

Not necessarily. I often stop at the grocery store on my way home from work. However, on those occasions when I don't have groceries in the car, I don't check the back for groceries.

 

[sbell111]

I suppose if it were a child in the car, she would likely be charged with involuntary manslaughter, or something thereabouts. ACCIDENTALLY killing something/one is still a crime.

This is not correct. Accidentally killing someone is not, in and of itself, a crime. Sometimes, accidental death is just accidental death.

In most states involuntary manslaughter results from "an improper use of reasonable care or skill while performing a legal act, or while committing an act that is unlawful but not felonious." She was not doing anything unlawful, so that leaves us with "improper use of reasonable care or skill".

I would argue that it is not reasonable to have to look into your car when you get out of it just to see if a person (or dog) got in there without your knowledge.

If it could be shown that she did know that a child was in the car and accidently left him/her in there, a charge of involuntary manslaughter would be appropriate. If she willfully left him/her in the car, a voluntary manslaughter charge would fit.

 

[chisnpeke]

There was a story that Oprah profiled not long ago about a child left in the car, exact same circumstances as this story. Mom was a busy principal, wasn't supposed to take child to daycare that morning, dad put baby in car, baby later died.

Terrible mistakes happen. Very sad situation. If she truly didn't know the dog was in the car, then I'm sure she's punishing herself much more than anyone else could.

The incident with the child left in the car was from my area. Very sad situation and I don't know how you could forget your child.

This, while horrible, I do believe was a mistake of miscommunication. Her husband probably never told her the dog was in the car. So very very sad. I love animals and would just DIE if I accidently left one of them in the car.

 

[chisnpeke]

For everyone screaming for charges to be brought against these people. What about when dogs get outside of their fence and get hit and killed by a car? Should that be neglect as well? Should criminal charges be brought on because of a horrific accident?