MOMania

By fk

May 18, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this

No, I would not have left a child of four years unattended. It would not have mattered where I was. Why do people assume that hotels and cruise ships are safe places?

I started leaving my son unattended at home at very small intervals when he was in the third grade, 9-1/2 years old. I took the dog for a walk, and made quick trips to the store…to pick up two items or less. The first time I did dog-walking routine, I walked passed my house twice, and both times my son was at the window, waving. I was never gone more than twenty minutes …never went anywhere during rush hour. And, I was sure that a neighbor was home and the cell phone with me. I was really nervous…I cannot imagine leaving a four year old. Such a tragic mistake.

By Ms. Jones

May 18, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this

I’m with you FK, I didn’t start leaving my kid until she was about 9, and just like you, it was quick trips to Walgreens, a quick visit with the neighbor, etc. My neighbor across the street (a stay at home mom), knew what I was doing, so she kept an eye on the house the very few minutes I was gone.
I was preparing her for coming home alone after school. She would only be home less than 30 minutes before I got there. Again, the neighbors were all aware, as they were doing this with their kids also. A couple of Stay at home moms kept their eyes out for them. Now my daughter is in high school and I feel she is ok by herself. However, she has never been alone at night, except for the occassional office dinner party, when I returned home around 10:00. We have two big dogs with vicious barks, so she felt secure enough to stay alone until I got home.

By Kerry

May 18, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

I can’t imagine leaving my daughter alone, even if she is sleeping (she’s almost two). They can always wake up. Every half hour? Do you know how much can happen in 30 minutes? A four year old and two year old twins are much to young to be left alone, even if you are only going to be 5 minutes away. I think that I was about 10 when my parents let me stay home alone, but never for long periods of time.

By me again

May 18, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

If they were seconds away, I don’t think they were neglectful. I’m not sure if the child was stolen, or if she woke up looking for her parents and left. If she was stolen, someone must have been watching and waiting.

If your 9 yr old was kidnapped, then someone ELSE would be saying you were neglectful as well. It’s easy to say people are neglectful, yet we do the same things they do and are just blessed that nothing happens. Unless it’s a teen who can fight for themselves, then don’t leave ANY kids unattended ever.

By Cindy

May 18, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

If I’m going on a family vacation then it’s basically I’m going wherever the kids are going. If it’s an adult vacation, I leave the kids at home with grandma. I dont take them with me to leave them in a hotel room.

By sportsmommy

May 18, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

My son is 10 and he’s been left at home several times in an hour to two hour intervals. I call and check in on him. He’ll be in middle school next year and we’ve been preparing him for coming home from school by himself. I don’t think we’re doing anything wrong, but NEVER would I have left my 2 or 4 year old alone to go have dinner with my husband. That’s poor parental judgement any way you look at it. They could’ve ordered room service. Also, I would never leave my child in a hotel room by himself no matter what age he is.

By Lynette

May 18, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

I have posted here about my loss so I will expound.

At 5 my son was playing at the house next door. They took their kids in and just told my son to “go home”. He was found dead in another neighbors pool about 30 minutes later.

So no, leaving my youngest was not an option till she was 11. Even letting her go out an play alone was not an option for the longest time.

I absolutely cannot imagine leaving a child at any age alone in a hotel room long enough to go out and eat.

God bless and keep that little girl.

By Ms. Jones

May 18, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

*Lynette How awful. I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot believe your neighbor just told him to go home unsupervised. Unbelieveable.

I would never send an unaccompanied child out on their own. I make sure they get to their destination. My daughter’s neighborhood friends would come over on Fridays and Saturday nights, and when it was time for them to go home, I either walked them home, drove them, or watched them until they were safely in their own home.

By Lynette

May 18, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Ms. Jones,

I imagine that it was judgement clouded by chemicals. Thank you for you kind thoughts.

I just cannot in my wildest nightmares imagine leaving a 4 year old alone anywhere anytime.

By amw

May 18, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

I agree. My kids are 7 & 9 and the LONGEST they have ever been left alone is about 10 mins at the house while I went to pick up some milk. At 2 & 4…not a chance and especially on vacation!

By Lynette

May 18, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Am I the only one who is imagining (as a best case senario) what kind of damage a 4 year old can do to just about anything in 10 minutes?

By mom3boys

May 18, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Maybe if I was within range of a monitor would I consider this…in fact, we’d dine w/ neighbors when the kids were little and take the monitor. We still ran home to check every 30 min. The kids were asleep the whole time..would never, ever leave an awake child at this age. I’ve started leaving the 11 year old for an hour or two, but only recently. The Europeans are much more relaxed with their kids; an 11 year old would take a bus across town alone and be comfortable. But this isn’t Europe and we need to watch out for our kids. Times are crazy; there is always time later to go out…but we can’t replace our babies.

By Mrs Walker

May 18, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

What were they thinking? I understand cultural differences. Although it may be acceptable in Europe to leave you children unattended, it doesn’t make it a sound or good decision. Children at that age should not be left unattended. I have a hard time leaving my 10 year old alone while I run to get milk. I don’t even let him go to public restrooms alone. He has to use the women’s with me. Call me paranoid if you’d like. It’s my responsibility as his mom to keep him as safe as possible.

By lisa

May 18, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

with all the child molesters in the world, why would you ever leave them anywhere out of your sight. I wouldn’t want my children at any age wake up and wonder where i am, the little 4 yr old had to be scared . unless she was use to it. Be better parents! I dont even let my 15 year old out of my sight with all the molesters running around!

By lisa

May 18, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

with all the child molesters in the world, why would you ever leave them anywhere out of your sight. I wouldn’t want my children at any age wake up and wonder where i am, the little 4 yr old had to be scared . unless she was use to it. Be better parents! I dont even let my 15 year old out of my sight with all the molesters running around!

By Koala

May 18, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

I was recently vacationing in Australia, and heard all about this story on BBC International. The saddest part of all of this is that this little girl has most likely (according to the authorities) been taken by a pedophile gang. It has happened before, and years after a young boy was taken in the same region, his image turned up on an internet child sex video. You can imagine the rest. I’ll save you from telling you the gory details.

So, in case you are still thinking of leaving your kids unattended, DO NOT DO IT unless you are willing to risk the same for your child. It can happen in any country at any time!

By Penguinmom

May 18, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

How sad for these parents who will have to regret their decision for the rest of their lives.

We currently leave our 11 year old home with his 2 younger siblings for about 45 minutes twice a week. They are all really calm children so the worst they would think of doing is watching too much TV. I have other friends whose children are more destructive who still can’t leave them at 12 or 13.

As far as taking a 10 year old boy into the women’s bathroom! How embarrassing for the poor kid. At what point will you finally let him stand next to the water fountains while you are inside, when he’s 16? He’s not going to wander off because you obviously have a fairly compliant child. Unless you are going into a sound proof bathroom, you will be able to hear him call if something happens. He needs to have some small amount of independence now so that he can handle it when he is totally out of your sight driving a car with his friends. Training him what to do in bad situations is more protection than trying to always be there because we cannot always be there no matter how hard we try.

By m bell

May 18, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t leave my children alone at any time or in any place. They deserve and have a right to be looked after and cared for - and that is my duty as a parent. Hotels, bars and restaurants abroad cater for families and it is usual for children. Good time parents who are only looking after themselves whilst their children are out of site can only expect horrible/traumatic events to happen. It is poor Madeleine and her twin brother and sister I feel sorry for. Parents who leave their children should be taken to court for neglect, whether they are abroad or at home.

By Becky

May 18, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

I only leave my almost 5 year old twin grandbabies in the house alone long enough to go get the mail.. Never under any conditions would I even think of leaving them alone any other time..The litlle boy has gotten to where he want’s to go in the big boy bathroom by himself & i won’t let him do that..To many perverts in this world..

By Koala

May 18, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

I just read an update on this story. Madeline’s biological father is a suspect in this. I hope he took her, because the alternative is the pedophile ring.

How sad. Her mother is going to have to live with her decision to leave those kids unattended for the rest of her life. I often read of the same stories right here in Atlanta where mothers leave their children unattended while at work, and the house burns down, etc.

Maybe there is something to be said for ‘screening’ before you can be a parent. Weed out all the deadbeat parents-to-be before they procreate.

By Ebony

May 18, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Lynette, I’m so sorry for your loss. At 5 years old, why didn’t they make sure your son got home okay? Did they ever apologize…WTH??!!!

I have a four year old and I never leave her alone. Times are way too bad. I feel so bad for the parents, I know they are beatin themselves up everyday over this.

By Peri, Lithonia

May 18, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

I agree that things are so much more dangerous for children than ever before.

At 13 and 14, I used to walk all over my neighborhood, alone, to visit friends, etc. I would even take the city bus to other parts of town — and nobody bothered me. I would NEVER EVER EVER allow my own 13-year-old daughter to even walk alone in our own subdivision. We don’t know our neighbors like we used to back in the day, so how can you trust that your child will truly be safe — even in your own neighborhood? It’s sad.

My prayers are with the parents of little Madeleine — I hope that she is found safe and unharmed. Lynette, I am am also very sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine your pain.

By stn mtn mom

May 18, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

that age really is too young for kids to be left alone and you go off to dinner at a hotel. I Also take my 5 year old son in the restroom with me and he doesnt like it, not sure when I will be ok letting him go into the mens restroom by himself, just look at whats going on at the airport!!

By Opinionated

May 18, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

IMO, leaving a child under 10 at home sleeping while a parent runs out to grab some dinner (or even ten minutes to a store) is just asking for disaster.

When my older brother was about 4 years old, my mother ran out to the store that was just 5 minutes away by car thinking she was only going to be gone 10 or 15 minutes max while he was sleeping (he had just gone down and usually slept for an hour). However, on her way to the store, she was t-boned by another driver who ran a stop sign. She was critically injured and unconscious and had to be rushed to the hospital. When she came around, it was an hour later and was able to get in touch with the neighbors to go get him (my father was on overseas duty with the army at the time).

I tell this story for those people who think that “I’m only be gone 10 minutes, what harm can it cause. They won’t even know I was gone.” Well, anything CAN happen!

I never left my daughter alone even for short periods of time until she was 11 (she’s 12 and a half now) and knew the rules. NEVER answer the door and NEVER answer the phone unless it was me. She isn’t allowed to answer the door or the phone if it IS grandma or her father on the other side unless they called before hand and cleared it with me. We were/are in constant contact by phone during the time I’m gone.

By Lynette

May 18, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

No real apology was ever issued. As I said this person was perhaps chemically inspired.

I know the children in this family have all been deeply effected.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

It is a sad world where our children cannot even pay outside without fear.

By Becky

May 18, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure that I feel sorry for the parent’s. As m bell said it it your job as a prent to protect your children. This does not mean leaving them alone to go eat. They grow up so fast as it is, why not spend as much time with them as possible when they are that little? Heck, I still enjoy just watching them sleep at 4..Lynette, I’m am so sorry for you loss..

By KH

May 18, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

No, these parents should have not left a 4-year-old alone in the hotel room! That is poor judgment! May God keep her safe in His arms! Lisa: I mean NO disrespect here, but 15 years old and you still watch them like a hawk? What happens when he/she goes out on a date in a few years? I think teenagers in general know what it means to not get into a car with a stranger or go anywhere with anyone alone who they aren’t comfortable around! Teens are a lot smarter than we give them credit for sometimes. But, like I said, I mean no disrespect!

By SD

May 18, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Times have changed so much since our kids were little and our grandkids today who are 2 and 4. We never left our kids alone when they were very young but we didn’t worry about someone taking them. Our biggest fear was that they’d hurt one another if we weren’t looking. Today, when we keep the grandkids we are much more protective and careful. If we take them out we watch them like hawks, it’s so different than when our kids were little. One is us is with them when we keep almost every minute. Makes me glad mine grew up when they did. Lynette, so sorry for your loss, what they did is not only immoral, its criminal.

By KH

May 18, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

No, these parents should have not left a 4-year-old alone in the hotel room! That is poor judgment! May God keep her safe in His arms! Lisa: I mean NO disrespect here, but 15 years old and you still watch them like a hawk? What happens when he/she goes out on a date in a few years? I think teenagers in general know what it means to not get into a car with a stranger or go anywhere with anyone alone who they aren’t comfortable around! Teens are a lot smarter than we give them credit for sometimes. But, like I said, I mean no disrespect!

By Noelle

May 18, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

I’m not a parent, but I know children, and I’ve heard plenty of horror stories (including some from my sister, who was a DFCS caseworker for 3+ years).

There’s no way I would leave a 4-year-old alone anywhere at any time. Even in my or their own home, I wouldn’t go farther than the garage or porch.

There are good reasons most states have laws with minimum ages at which children can be left alone, or left to watch younger children. The youngest such laws start at about age 8 for leaving a child alone in your home, and about 11 or 12 for older children to be left in charge of younger children. Personally, I’d be wary of even those ages for all but the most responsible and well-behaved children.

By concerned

May 18, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

No I would not leave my children alone. They probably did not check on them every 30 minutes as they said they did. That would mean you were gone for at least one hour before she was missing.

Anyway, it is a sad story. But as others have said. We are responsible for our children. I have taken in others children who have to leave them home alone after school. And my oldest (who is 10 and does not come home to an empty house) states “that will never happen to him.” If I had to go to a doctor’s visit, late one, I would generally make it home by the time the bus arrives.

I understand the need for them to become independent, but I also have a need for them to be alive. It is a hard balance and I try to take them places so they can be well balanced, but leaving them home alone is just not balancing them out.

By arh

May 18, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Becky, it is possible for good parents to have a lapse in judgment (never intending any harm) that causes a tragedy. Just ask any parent that ever “just lost sight for a moment” only to face horrific consequences. To say that you don’t feel sorry for parents who might possibly face the unimaginable horror of spending every moment for the rest of their lives wondering about their child makes me feel sorry for you.

By kristin

May 18, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Lynette

I am truly sorry for your loss. THat was unfortunatly a senerio that had come to my mind when I first read about leaving a child under the age of 8 unattended for any length of time. Dogs and water are natural attractions for children and they are not able to process the dangers associated with these attractions. It is the responsablity of adults to be paying attention.

I’m sorry that your neighbors failed you.

By AT

May 18, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

We have 9 year old twins and we don’t planning on leaving them alone until they are in high school. If I need to run to the store, I take them with me. The only time we don’t have them in our sight is when they are at school. If I am running late picking them up, I call ahead and have them sit in the school office instead of waiting for me outside. Is it overprotective, yes. But we have no desire to play the what ifs with our children’s lives. Is it exhausting, yes. But that is what parenthood brings. Is is inconvenient, yes. But that is a small price to pay when it comes to the most precious people in our lives. I feel very sad for this little girl. To her parents, would it have so bad having them play under the tables while you ate?

By Ms. Jones

May 18, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

KH I still watch my 16 year old. Not quite like a hawk, but I do need to be able to see or hear her if she is outside in our neighborhood. You never know. Yes teenagers are smarter than we give them credit for, but they are very well known for making bad decisions/choices. Remember, their brains are not quite fully developed until 25 or so. Having a cell phone makes it easier on me as a parent, as I can get a hold of her if I can’t find her. One the other hand, she is not allowed to go to the mall by herself or with friends on Friday or Saturday nights. During the day its ok, but not at night. Too many thugs……

Recently there was an teen aged girl abducted at the Mall of Georgia in broad daylight. There are crazies out there, and we as parents need to watch and protect our kids. So yea, I keep a watchful eye on my teen.

By celloraisen

May 18, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

I’ve been listening to the news reports about the men being questioned about the missing 4-year-old girl and that she was “taken” out of her hotel room, and have wondered why no one has charged these parents with anything?!?! I can’t understand how these parents thought it would be okay to leave two two-year-olds and a four-year-old alone in a hotel room while they had dinner!! STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!!!! And if you’ve ever gone to a neighbor’s house for dinner and just brought along the baby monitor, please ask yourself this question - can a baby monitor smell smoke?

By Opinionated

May 18, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Ms. Jones, very well said.

There are degrees of independence children should be given based on their maturity levels. My daughter is pretty mature for a 12 year old but I wouldn’t let her loose in my neighborhood for more than 15 minutes with out her checking in either in person or by phone. Too much can happen.

By carter

May 18, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

People who leave small children alone are inviting disaster.I might leave a 10 or 12 year old depending on maturity level for a short period of time. Before I left I’d make sure that we both knew the rules, and could stay in touch by cellphone.

By Lynette

May 18, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

There is a really nice family down the block that my daughter plays with often. they are super diligent have very similar religious back ground and large extended family.
Now if she will just pick up french while she is there. LOL.
I just don’t have a place in my mind for a 4 year old alone. Nope not at all.
Every child is different. I have to say I do not think I would leave two kids her age(12) at home. Now that could be bad.
I am a single parent and I have her go to My Dads after school. I am still not ready to let her come home to an empty house.
Strange thing is that when I was younger I stayed alone all the time. Times have indeed changed.

By Ms. Jones

May 18, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

I often wonder how our parents kept an eye on us when there were no cell phones. I grew up out West in the Rocky Mountains, and there were a ton of kids in our neighborhood. We would ride our bikes all over town all day long, we would go hiking, caving, etc., all without our parents. Of course, this was back in the early 70’s in a very small town. Heck on a Sunday afternoon in summer a bunch of us would take our bikes down to the University of Colorado campus, play some football on Folsom Field, go eat ice cream on the campus, and ride back home without our parents. We ranged in age from 10 to 17/18…..man we had good times……We would even ride the city bus downtown to the mall at 13 and 14 years old. And we had to walk a mile to get to the bus stop.

By LISA

May 18, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

to KH -i give my 15 yrs her space, i mean as far as not letting her walk from a store out to the parking lot by herself, things like that,but we have been at the gas station before and had older men approach the car to speak to her. (she is a looker). also i blame this one on her, because she knows better, but she and another friend of hers got in a car with a 18 year old she didnt know, her firend did but she didnt, well he hit a tree head-on and broke her pelvis in three places,lucky to be alive. and i have always taught her not to get in cars or go with people you dont know. so sometimes they do what you think they wont do. Plus i rather be safe than sorry, as far as her going on a date, i might be in the back seat. :-)

By julie

May 18, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

I would never leave my soon to be 10 year old son alone. I hate to even stand outside a public restroom waiting for him. It does not bother me one bit to crack the door and ask him if he’s okay if he is taking a long time. I can’t help but remember the nine year old boy who went into the restroom at a rest stop with his aunt waiting outside the door. He took a long time and when she checked on him she found him in there dead from a slashed throat. All while she stood right outside the door and never heard a thing. Call me over protective if you want. This world has evil people in it and it is my responsibility to protect him until he can protect himself however long it takes.

By a monotti

May 18, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

just would never leave my children alone like that.

By KW

May 18, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

I don’t think they’re bad parents. I do think it was a very tragic mistake. They were so close to the room, and I’m sure they reasoned it was locked. So sad - My husband and I are going on Disney cruise in a few months. My children are 4 and 6 and sleep like logs. I questioned if it would be okay to leave them in the room after they went to sleep to maybe go get drink at the bar, but I knew my “what if” senses wouldn’t really allow it. Now I don’t even question it. I pray they find that baby alive and well.

By Becky

May 18, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

arh, I know that i’ts possibble for good parents to have a laspe in judgement. But this wasn’t a “laspe”, they left these children alone for their own pleasure. As someone else said, why couldn’t they ordered room service? If the children were asleep, they could of just had a very nice dinner “alone”? So, please don’t waste your time feeling sorry for me. Feel sorry for all children that have parents that don’t really want to be full time parents..

By JustMe

May 18, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

Koala, I’ve often said there should be an IQ test required before people are allowed to have children. That apparently needs to be accompanied by a character test and common sense test!

Opinionated, you are so right about how anything can happen - even if one thinks they’ll only be gone for “10 minutes”….since a majority of accidents happen very close to home.

I cannot believe anyone would be so thoughtless/irresponsible/narcissistic as to leave three young children all under the age of 5 alone to go to dinner! This infuriates me to the nth degree.

I enjoy sitting out on my deck after my 4 and 1 year old are in bed, but I leave the door open or check on them every 5 or 10 minutes. Children that young should under NO circumstances be without a parent or other responsible adult or older (and mature) child present.

By Jo

May 18, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

Oh, my, Lynette, honey, I am SO sorry for your loss, I cannot even imagine…Who’d even THINK any adult would act as irresponsibly as those neighbours of yours? They should have been charged with involuntary manslaughter. When you have other children at your home/property, you are as responsible for them as if they were your own. I hope & pray for little Madeleine’s safe return. As in the case of many of you, when I was in my young teens, I took the bus alone, went to malls, downtown areas, dances, even by myself & no one thought anything of it. A few times, I was approached by older men but really, I was never in any danger. I was never a pretty child, but even so, I’m told horrible things like that can happen to any child because of the way things are these days. Scary…

By Lynette

May 18, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

I used to have a sleep walker. Asleep is not always asleep. She could be up and out before you knew.

By arh

May 18, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

I am in no way condoning leaving children that age alone. However, there isn’t one questioning of their judgment posted here that they don’t have ringing in their ears 1000 times louder every moment of the day. They screwed up, just like other parents do under all kinds of circumstances. Parents who would take three small children on a family vacation don’t really sound like people not interested in being parents.

By KH

May 18, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

All I know is that when I was a teenager, I gave my single mom HELL! I have since learned and observed teens, and I think for the most part they have a better head on their shoulders than I did. Be proud of the kids who show responsibility! I am only 24, but I know I can learn so much from people older and younger than me…

By Tay

May 18, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

I think the whole situation is very sad. I have a 10 year old and she does not even go out side by her self. But I have left her alone to take out the trash. I just would not be able to focus knowing that my daughter is alone for that long of a time. But we always say what we won’t do. I just think that it is tragic. My heart goes out to the families. All we can do is learn from this sad experience.

By Bob

May 18, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Leave my kids 4 and 2 sleeping anywhere,,,,,,what in the world. Can you imagine them waking up, anything could happen, they could climb and fall, they could break a glass and bleed to death, they could fall out of the crib and break their arm, leg or worse. They could stick something in an electric outlet, get caught in a blanket. Start the tub and burn themselves. Any number of things could happen.

These parents should be changed for child endangerment. There is no excuse, no excuse at all for leaving a small child alone.

By Concerned mom

May 18, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

What is even more unbelievable is that there is no state law forbidding this and DFACS only has guidelines for it. I found out that my ex-husband was leaving my children alone at night when he was at his house to go to the girlfriends house to “sleep over”, they were 13 and 10 yrs at the time. I reported it to Paulding Sheriff and was told that no crime has been committed and he could leave them alone for up to 12 hours due to thier age. My thoughts were, what if the house caught fire while they slept? or someone broke in? those two things alone will make an adult freak out much less a child. No matter they said, there was nothing I could do about it because no law had been broken. But, if they had died as a result I bet they would have charged him with neglect then! Why be REactive when you can be PROactive. Makes no sense to me.

By Jennifer

May 18, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

No way I would have left a 4-yo alone. My neighbors have a 5-yo kid that is allowed to roam the neighborhood unsupervised and it’s ridiculous. This isn’t the same situation as leaving them alone in a hotel room while the parents are having dinner but it’s still very irresponsible. I don’t let my kids out of our yard unless I’m with them. Again, not exactly on topic, but parents are responsible for watching their own kids and can’t let them roam about assuming that other parents will watch them. I have 2 kids of my own and if extras show up here uninvited it’s not my responsibility to make sure they are supervised until they decide to go home.

When my oldest is 12 or 13 I may scoot over to Kroger for a gallon of milk or something, but not before then.

By catlady

May 18, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Never! They went, I did not go, or I hired a sitter. Mostly, I did not go. They were too precious for any gratification on my part to take precedence over their safety.

Starting when my older daughter was 13 I had her babysit her 9 year old brother and 4 year old sister for an hour, occasionally, in the afternoon.

Inexcusable, and criminal.

By Will

May 18, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

What are people supposed to say, yea, I’d leave my 4 year old alone. What a stupid premise, what a stupid story, yet another waste of cyberspace. Story after story that just references OTHER stories. Right a damn blog, stop referencing other writers pieces. Hey guys, I got nothing again, but I just read an article, by a real writer, on how too much sun might cause sunburns, what do you think? will the sun cause sunburns? Does the AJC actually pay these bloggers? please tell me they dont, cause if they do, I want that job!

By Will

May 18, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

What are people supposed to say, yea, I’d leave my 4 year old alone. What a stupid premise, what a stupid story, yet another waste of cyberspace. Story after story that just references OTHER stories. Right a damn blog, stop referencing other writers pieces. Hey guys, I got nothing again, but I just read an article, by a real writer, on how too much sun might cause sunburns, what do you think? will the sun cause sunburns? Does the AJC actually pay these bloggers? please tell me they dont, cause if they do, I want that job!

By Will

May 18, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

What are people supposed to say, yea, I’d leave my 4 year old alone. What a stupid premise, what a stupid story, yet another waste of cyberspace. Story after story that just references OTHER stories. Right a damn blog, stop referencing other writers pieces. Hey guys, I got nothing again, but I just read an article, by a real writer, on how too much sun might cause sunburns, what do you think? will the sun cause sunburns? Does the AJC actually pay these bloggers? please tell me they dont, cause if they do, I want that job!

By LaDivaBoricua

May 21, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

I have seven children, I think it unconscionable to leave a child unattended for any length of time (and by child I mean any child under the age of 12). No, it isn’t always easy, but it is necessary. I have pulled up to the pump and thought, wow, the baby is asleep maybe I can run in and out to pay without bothering him. That is the easy thought, the hard thought comes right behind that, what if this is the split second it takes for….a kidnapper, rapist, carjacker, etc….what if for my “split second” convenience I was not there to protect my child? No one to blame but myself!

By Tita

May 21, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

I am a parent of 4 girls ages 17, 12, 9 , 8 and I get the “willies” leaving them alone to go to dinner etc. What I do is bring them over to my sister’s house, my sister has 4 girls as well so they have a slumber party and I feel safer. I agree with the post that we all have done it but were fortunate that nothing happened. I even HATE having my kids play outside with the other kids-and our neighborhood is gated! You just never know where some sick creep is these days. Let’s keep an eye on our kids and other kids that are outside as well. A kipnapper would hate me because I am nosey as heck. God bless and keep that child safe.

By Ja;y

May 21, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

These parents made a tragic mistake. I’m sure at some point we have all left children alone, to take a shower, to answer the phone while they’re in the bathtub, of fell asleep and they got up. If someone wants to do harm to a child it only takes a few secomds. I pray for the family and the safe return of the child. Evil is lurking around every corner now. Remember John Walch and the other families. Surely these people are in pain over the lost of their child. I feel sick over it and I don’t know this child.

By Ja;y

May 21, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

These parents made a tragic mistake. I’m sure at some point we have all left children alone, to take a shower, to answer the phone while they’re in the bathtub, of fell asleep and they got up. If someone wants to do harm to a child it only takes a few secomds. I pray for the family and the safe return of the child. Evil is lurking around every corner now. Remember John Walch and the other families. Surely these people are in pain over the lost of their child. I feel sick over it and I don’t know this child.

By melissa

May 24, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

I AM A MOTHER OF 2 GIRLS 3 & 5 MY KIDS CANNOT EVEN GO IN THERE OWN YARD AND PLAY WITHOUT ME SITTING OUTSIDE WATCHING THEM, AND I HAVE A PRIVACY FENCE, THERE’S TO MANY WEIRDO’S OUT THERE AND MY BABIES ARE TO IMPORTANT TO ME.. I CANNOT BELIEVE SOMEBODY ACTUALLY LEFT THERE BABIES BY THERESELVES FOR ANY REASON!!!!!!

By melissa

May 24, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

I’AM A SINGLE MOM OF 2 DAUGHTERS, 3&5, I COULD NEVER IMAGINE LEAVING MY GIRLS BY THEMSELVES. THERE NOT EVEN ALOUD IN THE YARD WITHOUT MY SUPERVISION, AND WE HAVE A PRIVACY FENCE. MY GIRLS ARE TO IMPORTANT TO ME, I CAN’T BELIEVE 3 LIITTLE PRECIOUS KIDS WERE LEFT BY THEMSELVES, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING, I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW CARELESS PEOPLE ARE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I CONSTANTLY SEEING KIDS OUTSIDE PLAYING WITHOUT ANYBODY WATCHING I’M TALKING 2,3AND 4 YEAR OLDS, THEN WHEN SOMSTHING HAPPENS TO THERE CHILD THEY WONDER WHY.. LYNETTE: I’M VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, I KNOW WHEN MY DAUGHTERS FRIENDS COME OVE TO PLAY I WALK THEM TO THERE FRONT DOOR, I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY WERE SO CARELESS, I AM SO SORRY!!!

By melissa

May 24, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

I’AM A SINGLE MOM OF 2 DAUGHTERS, 3&5, I COULD NEVER IMAGINE LEAVING MY GIRLS BY THEMSELVES. THERE NOT EVEN ALOUD IN THE YARD WITHOUT MY SUPERVISION, AND WE HAVE A PRIVACY FENCE. MY GIRLS ARE TO IMPORTANT TO ME, I CAN’T BELIEVE 3 LIITTLE PRECIOUS KIDS WERE LEFT BY THEMSELVES, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING, I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW CARELESS PEOPLE ARE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I CONSTANTLY SEEING KIDS OUTSIDE PLAYING WITHOUT ANYBODY WATCHING I’M TALKING 2,3AND 4 YEAR OLDS, THEN WHEN SOMSTHING HAPPENS TO THERE CHILD THEY WONDER WHY.. LYNETTE: I’M VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, I KNOW WHEN MY DAUGHTERS FRIENDS COME OVE TO PLAY I WALK THEM TO THERE FRONT DOOR, I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY WERE SO CARELESS, I AM SO SORRY!!!

By melissa

May 24, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

I’AM A SINGLE MOM OF 2 DAUGHTERS, 3&5, I COULD NEVER IMAGINE LEAVING MY GIRLS BY THEMSELVES. THERE NOT EVEN ALOUD IN THE YARD WITHOUT MY SUPERVISION, AND WE HAVE A PRIVACY FENCE. MY GIRLS ARE TO IMPORTANT TO ME, I CAN’T BELIEVE 3 LIITTLE PRECIOUS KIDS WERE LEFT BY THEMSELVES, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING, I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW CARELESS PEOPLE ARE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I CONSTANTLY SEEING KIDS OUTSIDE PLAYING WITHOUT ANYBODY WATCHING I’M TALKING 2,3AND 4 YEAR OLDS, THEN WHEN SOMSTHING HAPPENS TO THERE CHILD THEY WONDER WHY.. LYNETTE: I’M VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, I KNOW WHEN MY DAUGHTERS FRIENDS COME OVE TO PLAY I WALK THEM TO THERE FRONT DOOR, I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY WERE SO CARELESS, I AM SO SORRY!!!

By melissa

May 24, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

SORRY I DOUBLE POSTED I DIDN’T THINK MY 1ST ONE TOOK SO I REDID IT

By melissa

May 24, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

JAY: ANSWERING THE PHONE IS TOTALLY NOT THE SAME THING THEN LEAVING THE HOUSE OR HOTEL ROOM THAT WAS NOT RESPONSABLE….