NJ Court Finds Leaving Child Alone In Car Is Abuse
By Ileana Diaz
MARLTON, N.J. (CBS)--It only takes a minute or two to lose a child.
In one case, a mother went grocery shopping and thought the father had their daughter, he didn't, and when others noticed the little girl was locked up inside the car they called 9-1-1.
Fred Harran, the Director of Public Safety in Bensalem, says sadly it's something they see every year.
"We've arrested parents on numerous occasions. People do crazy, stupid things."
In Pennsylvania, a particular hot spot has been the Parx Casino, where kids have been left and locked alone in cars,while mom and dad are gambling.
Faith Dingler, a mom, says, "There's just no reason to leave them unattended."
Yet it happens over and over again. Just yesterday a New Jersey superior court judge ruled parents could now face charges of abuse or neglect, stating parents need to show more than a minimum degree of care.
Debbie Gebbia says, "I think the law may be too harsh because there may be circumstances where someone is watching the car while the mom runs in real quick."
But many parents think this law is needed to make difference
Julie Dorfman agrees, "There have been cases people have died, so I don't think it's too much."
Ultimately, the court will judge each case and whether or not parents get charged, but those who respond to many cases like this in Pennsylvania believe the new ruling could reduce the amount of calls in New Jersey.
