off topic children in hot cars

[Anonymous]

last week near my home a police officer for the city of lindale tx north of tyler forgot to drop his 4 mnth old child off at the daycare and left it in the dark colored pickup then took a city police car 30 miles away to canton tx and was gone all day hours later he realized what he had done and it was to late the child was dead this happens every year so far this summer i have dealt with 7 cases as a fire fighter\ems the man was arrested but realeased on bond becuase hes a cop and said he was sorry he forgot she was there.. ?how do you forget a child that small thats stupid people need to realize that in texas and other states summer means 100+ temps a locked car is about 172 degrees afternoon

in my opinion some of the cases are young mothers  some are the father of a child they didnt want (they wanted sex) these people who kill there children should be put in a sweatbox or a small metal building in the hot sun for a while but thats cruel but killing a child is not come on i dont have kids but i watch my friends kids some times i will take them to the park and climb the big ladder on the slide behind them in case they fall they will not hit the ground but hit me instead i can take a fall im use to pain i worked with a carnival for 14 years and rode freight trains cross the country so getin knocked around by a old wore out boxcar is no problem

but any way if you have kids kepp your cars locked & roll down the windows to lower the inside temp keep an eye on your kids and there friends when they are near a vehicle for their saftey

[Anonymous]

Anyone who would do such a thing  to their own child sure doesn't need to be in charge of  public safety. I wouldn't want the welfare of any child of mine dependant upon this dolt.

He should be kicked off the force, and then tried as a regular citizen, (based upon the facts, of course)  no breaks for being  a cop.

Sometimes I believe that society should be less forgiving , not more forgiving, when these public servants become wrong doers.

[gabe]

As a new parent, I have some empathy.  Don't get me wrong, I think it is incredibly unlikely that I would do something like that.  However, when I am working 80+ hour weeks (so as to be able to provide for the child), and the baby wakes me up three times a night, it can be awfully hard to function in the morning.  My wife normally takes the baby to daycare, so I am not used to it.

I am scared to death that I will take her to daycare once, she will fall asleep on the way, and since I am not used to doing it, I will forget about it.  Yes, it is very unlikely, but when you are a sleep-deprived new parent, you do a lot of things you could imagine doing on a full night's rest.

I sit up at night thinking of all of the things that any parent could accidentally do to hurt their child.  It is really scarry.

Gabe

[tree68]

As tragic as this type of case is, at least it was a mistake.  The father will likely be wholly devastated by it, and regardless of the laxity or severity of his punishment, has to live with it forever.

On the other hand, I have absolutely no sympathy for people who intentionally leave their children (or their pets, for that matter) in a vehicle under such circumstances while they 'run into the store.'   I once assisted another fire department with a call for a child locked in a vehicle - in the family's own driveway...

[gabe]

As tragic as this type of case is, at least it was a mistake.  The father will likely be wholly devastated by it, and regardless of the laxity or severity of his punishment, has to live with it forever.

On the other hand, I have absolutely no sympathy for people who intentionally leave their children (or their pets, for that matter) in a vehicle under such circumstances while they 'run into the store.'   I once assisted another fire department with a call for a child locked in a vehicle - in the family's own driveway...

Agreed

[Anonymous]

i agree also some people dont deserve kids but before you leave your car check the back seat just for saftey you never know

[zardoz]

  However, when I am working 80+ hour weeks (so as to be able to provide for the child), and the baby wakes me up three times a night, it can be awfully hard to function in the morning. 

And on top of that, this guy is allowed to carry and use a gun!  THAT is scary to me!  How sound is his judgment when living like that?

 

Anti-gates: I agree 100%

[edblysard]

My wife carries a slim jim in her Durango...used it twice in three years for just such a reason...the parent(s) had to put up with her verbal abuse the entire time...

Drove to work one saturday with the 13 year old middle one in the back seat...didnt lock her in or anything like that...it is just that for once, she was being quite, and I smooth forgot I was dropping her off at the library...got to work, and realized she was sitting back there...asked her why didnt she say anything...she said she wanted to see how long it would take me to figure it out...smart alec kid...

[trainfan1221]

This guy will be living with it for the rest of his life.  I see that it was a mistake, but a tragic one,especially this year with the weather so hot.  Unfortunately, in a related subject, there are a lot of parents who should not have kids because they are not capable of taking care of them.  I know of people like this and its a shame.

[CShaveRR]

So, Ed, did she get to stay with you at work for the rest of the day?

My daughter barely lets me near her girls sometime.  I'm sure she wouldn't lose track of them on her way to someplace.  Yet when she holds the little one it reminds one of Rufus (from Gasoline Alley) holding the kitten.  Emily seems to like it, though.

[TH&B]

Mistake or not he's a police officer !  People who make this kind of mistake should be taken off the force, even if this was a mistake his mind is gonna go all funny and strange with regret and stuff and then supposedly have authority over other peoples mistakes as an officer of the law . Nobody who accidently or otherwise kills their own son from neglect is likely to stay sane. 

[gabe]

Mistake or not he's a police officer !  People who make this kind of mistake should be taken off the force, even if this was a mistake his mind is gonna go all funny and strange with regret and stuff and then supposedly have authority over other peoples mistakes as an officer of the law . Nobody who accidently or otherwise kills their own son from neglect is likely to stay sane. 

If we do not allow people who make mistakes to be police officers, I am turning to a life of crime--as there will not be police officers any longer.  All of us make similar mistakes, there is not a single person who I know who hasn't done something just as forgetful accidentally.  The difference is, this poor guy isn't as lucky as the rest of us, and fate determined that his mistake would have tragic consequences.

How many of you talked on your cell phone and swerved over the center line accidentally while doing so--as I see someone in front of me do it on average four times a week, I don't think I will believe it if no one said they did (more likely, you don't realize it when you are doing it).  The difference is, when you or I happened to swerve over the center line, fate was with us, and there wasn't a family of five in the lane accross from us.  Others aren't so lucky.  The only difference between you and I swerving over that center line and the person who happens to take out the car in the other lane is luck.

This poor guy is no different.  Besides, in all liklihood his job and his life are likely meaningless to him right now.

Gabe

[edblysard]

Carl,

No, her Mom came and got her after a few hours, but we both learned a lesson...she can be too quite and I can lose track of what I was doing when pre occupied.

Gabes last post should wake up the other folks...about the only difference is the twist of fate.

Have you ever been so deep in though about work, home, family or whatever that you drove through a red light or a stop sign, only to realize it later?

Bet you were a little frightened when you realized you could have been hit, or hit someone and killed them...but that dosent make you a bad or evil person, does it...

How do you think this guy feels everytime he gets in a car?

Ed

[Anonymous]

He should not be allowed to perform in a position where the public's trust is dependant upon him. If he is so absent minded with his own flesh and blood, goodness only knows where his lower priorities rest.

Due to his high public profile, I think he should be made an example of.

I see little difference between this and the careless discharge of his service weapon.

 Something is "broken" with this unit, his dedication to safety is rightly questionable, and the public at large deserves better than to be exposed to the peril of his service.

Any further kids he and his wife have should be automatically subject to states custody unless he can prove that he can become a  reasonably responsible parent.

[Anonymous]

I totaly agree.

[edblysard]

Wow,

Someone needs to polish their jackboots a little longer....

I mean, crap, who appointed you guys judge, jury and executioner?

 

So, what of the parent who does everything right, and then one of their kids makes a mistake, gets drunk, and has a accident...you snatch all of their kids because they must be bad parents?

 

Or, how about if you do something just as stupid, and drive after a few beers, get stopped...what then, the state has the right to make an example out of you?

Who here has not done something dumb like that?

So, the equal application of our laws only applies to you guys?

Or, because he wears a uniform, his civil right cease to be?

Next thing you know, you will want to segerate some people or limit their rights based on the color of their skin, their religion or political party affliation.

Come to think of it, they tried something like that in the 30s and 40s...it didnt work out so hot, even for the members of the select party.

Or is it just politicaly correct to condemn him out of hand, you know, jump on the band wagon while it is still rolling...forget his right to a trial, presumption of innocence, all that stuff.

Heck, we dont even need to wait to see if he is charged with a crime...screw the grand jury process, someone get a rope!

Oh, wait, we dont make judgements here, right?

You know, the elite, snobish, select groups are not allowed, yes?

Then again, maybe some are...

[gabe]

Wow,

Someone needs to polish their jackboots a little longer....

I mean, crap, who appointed you guys judge, jury and executioner?

 

So, what of the parent who does everything right, and then one of their kids makes a mistake, gets drunk, and has a accident...you snatch all of their kids because they must be bad parents?

 

Or, how about if you do something just as stupid, and drive after a few beers, get stopped...what then, the state has the right to make an example out of you?

Who here has not done something dumb like that?

So, the equal application of our laws only applies to you guys?

Or, because he wears a uniform, his civil right cease to be?

Next thing you know, you will want to segerate some people or limit their rights based on the color of their skin, their religion or political party affliation.

Come to think of it, they tried something like that in the 30s and 40s...it didnt work out so hot, even for the members of the select party.

Or is it just politicaly correct to condemn him out of hand, you know, jump on the band wagon while it is still rolling...forget his right to a trial, presumption of innocence, all that stuff.

Heck, we dont even need to wait to see if he is charged with a crime...screw the grand jury process, someone get a rope!

Oh, wait, we dont make judgements here, right?

You know, the elite, snobish, select groups are not allowed, yes?

Then again, maybe some are...

I could not agree more.  The thought of making an example of someone--for an obviously accidental act no less--simply because of their job title strikes me as rather draconian.

Gabe

[chad thomas]

He should not be allowed to perform in a position where the public's trust is dependant upon him. If he is so absent minded with his own flesh and blood, goodness only knows where his lower priorities rest.

Due to his high public profile, I think he should be made an example of.

I see little difference between this and the careless discharge of his service weapon.

 Something is "broken" with this unit, his dedication to safety is rightly questionable, and the public at large deserves better than to be exposed to the peril of his service.

Any further kids he and his wife have should be automatically subject to states custody unless he can prove that he can become a  reasonably responsible parent.

AG,

I would not expect you to have that view. I am going to throw some of your words back at ya. Going back to the babysitter incident in San Jose. You said you did not believe in more evil would not make a tragic situation better (or something like that). You also said holding the babysitter accountable and giveing her prison time for her neglegence would serve little purpose. Anyway you know what I mean. Now tell me what's so different with this situation. Sure the man has a responsable public service position but he is still human. Both situations involved a child getting killed because of neglegence. Why should the cop get nailed to the wall and not the babysitter?

Or are you just takeing the side that you think will have the most opposition? I know you love to argu....er um debate.

[gabe]

He should not be allowed to perform in a position where the public's trust is dependant upon him. If he is so absent minded with his own flesh and blood, goodness only knows where his lower priorities rest.

Due to his high public profile, I think he should be made an example of.

I see little difference between this and the careless discharge of his service weapon.

 Something is "broken" with this unit, his dedication to safety is rightly questionable, and the public at large deserves better than to be exposed to the peril of his service.

Any further kids he and his wife have should be automatically subject to states custody unless he can prove that he can become a  reasonably responsible parent.

AG,

I would not expect you to have that view. I am going to throw some of your words back at ya. Going back to the babysitter incident in San Jose. You said you did not believe in more evil would not make a tragic situation better (or something like that). You also said holding the babysitter accountable and giveing her prison time for her neglegence would serve little purpose. Anyway you know what I mean. Now tell me what's so different with this situation. Sure the man has a responsable public service position but he is still human. Both situations involved a child getting killed because of neglegence. Why should the cop get nailed to the wall and not the babysitter?

Or are you just takeing the side that you think will have the most opposition? I know you love to argu....er um debate.

I do not at all mean this as an insult, but the difference to AG is the babysitter is a person like himself, whereas a police officer is the authority of the state.  AG does not seem to like authority figures--especially those acting on behalf of the state.

As I said, that is not an insult.  There are a lot of people who feel the same as AG.  I just believe the state authority figure is his true reason for wanting to throw the book at the police officer.

Gabe

[CSXrules4eva]

i agree also some people dont deserve kids but before you leave your car check the back seat just for saftey you never know

You are darn right about that one!! There are a lot of people that don't deserve to have kids, some people also take having kids for granted (sp), which is a shame. There are a lot of people in the world who can't  have kids and really want kids. The interesting thing is that some of these people would make awesome parents. I guess sometimes you can't win.

There are also people who didn't want to have kids, but did. Then they end up taking a lot of fustration our on the children because of it, which isn't right physically or mentailly for the child.

 

[IRONROOSTER]

I am truly glad that none of my lapses throughout my life have resulted in anyone being harmed. 

My heart goes out to this man and the pain he must be feeling.

Paul