Mom on Trial - Leaves child in Car for minutes

[NYBlue1]

You infer what you like, we'll do the same...

Not one heck of a lot of difference. And, considering charges were dropped...I'd say my side wins...

Im not condeming anybody, the mother or the police because all the facts are not available to see.

Many people get charges droped against them, guilty as well as not guilty because it is not in the best intrest of justice.

I have stated all along that it appears to me that something is not right and I dont believe the woman should have been arrested for this. However im not going to condem a police officer, a police department and a district attorneys office till all fact are released, not just the moms side of the story.

If that does not make any sence to you, I dont know what further to say
and I was not aware that we were on "sides", Im glad that the mother was let free.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I wish Karma on them too. They saw a CHILD ALONE IN A CAR in a crowded store parking lot and took action. There was NO parent in sight (because once again, this "attentive mother" didn't SEE that someone was looking in her car window). That is what upsets me the most about this story. She was NOT paying attention like she claimed.

I'm disappointed the charges were dropped. The more I think about this, it makes my blood boil.

And yes, I have kids.

And exactly what benefit came from the whole incident? Do you think the 8 year olds came out unscathed? doubt it? Did it benefit the baby to have her family stressed out?

All the busybody did was cause trouble. If they had wanted to help there are many ways they could have done that. Instead they wanted only to put their nose where it didn't belong.

Some people have a need to control the actions of others when it is not necessary nor is it called for.

 

[TwinsinCA]

And exactly what benefit came from the whole incident?

That this woman MIGHT THINK before she does that again. (Although since the charges were dropped all that happened is that she learned she can get away with it. ) Do I want to see her in jail? No. But a fine and record of the incident are appropriate. It would teach her and perhaps others that you need to pay better attention to your kids. This mother clearly was not doing that.

Just to be clear, I have no issue with a child left in the car in some circumstances if that car is being watched. Since the mother didn't go running over as soon as the officer was near her car it tells me that she WAS NOT watching.

I'm not concerned about the "stress" to her family. This is the "mother's" fault. Period. SHE brought this on her own kids. If she had used better judgement, her kids would not have had to witness her arrest.

Boggles my mind that the cop/security officer doing their jobs are dismissed as a busybodies...

 

[NYBlue1]

That this woman MIGHT THINK before she does that again. (Although since the charges were dropped all that happened is that she learned she can get away with it. ) Do I want to see her in jail? No. But a fine and record of the incident are appropriate. It would teach her and perhaps others that you need to pay better attention to your kids. This mother clearly was not doing that.

Just to be clear, I have no issue with a child left in the car in some circumstances if that car is being watched. Since the mother didn't go running over as soon as the officer was near her car it tells me that she WAS NOT watching.

I'm not concerned about the "stress" to her family. This is the "mother's" fault. Period. SHE brought this on her own kids. If she had used better judgement, her kids would not have had to witness her arrest.

Boggles my mind that the cop/security officer doing their jobs are dismissed as a busybodies...

 

[Aidensmom]

I had been following this story on my local news website because I was amazed someone would be arrested for this.

I think of all the times I've had similar situations....heck, I don't know how many times I've put my son in the car morning and then realized I left something inside, and run in to get it. The last time I did it was Wednesday. In that situation, though the car is in my carport, I'm actually more out of sight of my child than this woman ever was. I've done it when the pay-at-the-pump isn't working and I have to run in to pay for my gas. I even did it once on the way home from the community pool and my son was soaking wet and in a bathing suit, and I ran into 7-11 for milk, and ended up locking my keys in the car with my son (My son was 5, but couldn't get the seatbelt undone as much as he tried to open the door for me. I called my husband, who came with the spare key and unlocked the door, we lived just blocks away).

Really, I'm grateful I don't live in a community of busy-bodies, because that is what I think this case is...busy bodies gone wild. I will say, I am paranoid about it, not because I think what I have done is wrong, but because there are so many people out there that think you are unable to be responsible if you are not them, and they have to save the world from you. Really, if I didn't have a cell phone in my pocket and wasn't blocks from my home when I accidentally locked my son in the car, I would have been doing what I could to break the window and get in the car. Yes, there are a FEW neglectful parents, but in this day and age some people think everyone is.

ETA: To be honest, I'm actually responsible enough to have AAA, so they can unlock my car if my husband isn't available. I know some of you are having a tizzy that me breaking the window might hurt my kid (because of course I must be stupid enough to break the one next to him), so just want to reassure you, I have a backup plan LOL.

 

[tonilea]

Please tell me you are not getting your law information from TV shows.

Come on! They can solve a case in an hour on CSI! I can't believe that watching every single episode of CSI doesn't qualify you as an expert.

Says she, tongue planted firmly in cheek!

 

[npmommie]

What is a community service officer? Never heard of it.

 

[npmommie]

For me, I would be hesitant to just give my name and my child's name to someone approaching me outside walmart, whether they say they are a community service officer or whatever. People impersonate police all the time. No way would I say anything either. Until I was absolutely sure of who I was speaking to.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think you might have the facts wrong. The community officer was excited and belligerent, not the mom.

At least, that's what the mom claims.

Ok all the defendants side of the story, I was looking for something less bias to the situation

If you look at the comments sections on the local news stories, you'll find that posters have PLENTY to say about the obnoxious Crestwood officers..

Not a single one of whom was AT that Walmart AT that time and witnessed the incident. NYBlue1 simply wants the other side of the story - i.e. the safety officer's and/or responding police officer's side. We're not getting that from ANY link provided so far.

Really, I'm grateful I don't live in a community of busy-bodies, because that is what I think this case is

You say 'busy-body'; someone else would say 'concerned bystander'. I guess it's a matter of whether one percieves that the interference helps or hinders...

 

[mjkacmom]

And you know this cause you were there to witness it? Or your going by comments made by the woman to the paper? Because if she said thats how it went than thats how it went?

Well, at least we have her comments to base the facts on. People here keep posting (and you are one of them) that SHE was belligerent, and yet I have yet to read that anywhere.

 

[mjkacmom]

So we're getting our legal counsel from CSI now? That's scary.

No, if I wasn't making any headway with the police, I probably would remain silent. However, if they simply asked me my name, I would tell them. I wouldn't rudely and arrogantly whip out my cell phone.

You do have the right to remain silent. Too bad this mother didn't choose to do that. Instead, she talked on her cell phone, told the officers that she wouldn't cooperate with them, etc. Remaining silent means . . . not saying anything.

Hmm - could you please provide a link stating that she took her cellphone out in a "rude and arrogant manner" please?

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Hmm - could you please provide a link stating that she took her cellphone out in a "rude and arrogant manner" please?

Anyone who whips out their cellephone to make a call while in the middle of in-person conversation with someone is rude and arrogant in my opinion. When they do it while being questioned by the police, they are stepping beyond rudeness and arrogance. Do you disagree?

 

[meandtheguys2]

Anyone who whips out their cellephone to make a call while in the middle of in-person conversation with someone is rude and arrogant in my opinion. When they do it while being questioned by the police, they are stepping beyond rudeness and arrogance. Do you disagree?

I disagree. It isn't a conversation when you are being yelled at. (First person involved.) It is the difference between being talked at and talking to.

And, considering the relationship between the police and the yelling community officer, there would very likely already be a bias for the officer. I'd whip out my cell and call my husband, and my lawyer in a heartbeat.

 

[mumom95]

Anyone who whips out their cellephone to make a call while in the middle of in-person conversation with someone is rude and arrogant in my opinion. When they do it while being questioned by the police, they are stepping beyond rudeness and arrogance. Do you disagree?

I agree that whipping out a cell phone in the middle of a conversation with someone is rude. But this is a different situation. It isn't like the person was having a personal conversation with someone. This was a legal matter. If she was going to be arrested (which I'm pretty sure she was) in my opinion she did need to keep her mouth shut and make her phone call. If the police were going to arrest her, they should have told her right away that she needs to go to the police station with them to be questioned and that she should contact legal councel if she wants.

 

[mickeyboat]

So we're getting our legal counsel from CSI now? That's scary.

Please tell me you are not getting your law information from TV shows.

Actually, I am an attorney.

But most of us on the DIS are not, and my point was that EVERYONE who watches tv and probably EVERYONE with a middle school education knows we have the right to refuse questioning that might incriminate ourselves. It's not being rude, it's being wise.

And were you both there at the scene? I have not heard any sworn witness testimony. I don't recall there being a charge levied against her for resisting arrest or disobeying an officer. I think there might have been if the facts supported it, don't you think?

The fact that the case was dropped by the prosecuting attorney speaks volumes. Just because you think it is bad parenting, does not make it against the law.

Denae

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

And were you both there at the scene? I have not heard any sworn witness testimony. I don't recall there being a charge levied against her for resisting arrest or disobeying an officer. I think there might have been if the facts supported it, don't you think?

I'm no attorney but I do think the charge of "obstructing a peace officer" is in the ballpark of what you're looking for.

 

[mickeyboat]

I'm no attorney but I do think the charge of "obstructing a peace officer" is in the ballpark of what you're looking for.

O.k. I didn't realize she had been charged with that as well. I guess it is beside the point anyway, since those charges were dropped as well because the prosecutor did not feel he could meet his burden of proof at trial.

Denae

 

[chobie]

O.k. I didn't realize she had been charged with that as well. I guess it is beside the point anyway, since those charges were dropped as well because the prosecutor did not feel he could meet his burden of proof at trial.

Denae

I don't know about the state this took place in, but in Florida obstructing is charged to almost everyone who is arrested. It almost always gets dropped.

 

[mickeyboat]

I don't know about the state this took place in, but in Florida obstructing is charged to almost everyone who is arrested. It almost always gets dropped.

Interesting....

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

O.k. I didn't realize she had been charged with that as well. I guess it is beside the point anyway, since those charges were dropped as well because the prosecutor did not feel he could meet his burden of proof at trial.

Whether it got dropped or it didn't, the charge still indicates that this lady acted badly to some extent toward the police. I don't know exactly what she said or did but, no matter what people say, police typically don't charge people with random charges of obstruction when they are being calm and cooperative.