I must rant because I held in my anger earlier

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Replies

  • JonathanBB
    JonathanBB Posts: 252 Member
    I have gotten people in trouble before over moral issues and have always felt guilty afterwords. Like catching an old lady stealing soup when I worked as a food stocker. I really hate to be the reason someone's life gets flipped upside down even when it was their fault but I lack a shred of guilt over this. I think even if I did call the police I wouldn't of thought twice afterwords. I know I was right, one of the few certainties in my life.

    I would never tell on an old lady stealing canned soup, people go through terrible difficulties. Maybe if she was stealing whisky I'd let her know I had seen it and asked her directly to put it back. Now in this particular case, I think you did the only thing these was to do. Calling the police would probably mean the kids could be taken into custody which, lets be reasonable, would be psychologically worse for the kids than being left in a car with the windows down. I think you did the right thing.

    Respectfully disagree. Dead is worse. Agree with others that if parent left kids in the car when they were at the gym they have done it and will do it elsewhere. OP: Please keep an eye out for that car in the gym lot in the future and give yourself a major pat on the back for getting involved when 20 minutes worth of people went in and out of that gym and did nothing. :drinker:
  • pgp90xer
    pgp90xer Posts: 219 Member
    Good for you, good call! I hate that too even way pets are involved. Nothing is better when you hear of a Police Officer smashing in a car window to rescue a child or pet. If I was them I would break every window!
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    You did the right thing, I can't imagine how I would have handled it. I blow a top when I see dogs locked in the car in summer heat.... But two young kids? Really? I can't even imagine.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    You did the right thing and handled the situation well. The dilemma with calling the cops or turning in the parents to authority is that if the kids get taken away from the parents (which, they have taken kids away for very little things) then the kids might endup with cruel foster care parents. Chances are they can get better parents but its a toss up.

    I hope the parents of these kids learned their lesson.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Some people just shouldn't have kids . . .

    Still sounds like you did the right thing.

    ^ This.
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    omg! I don't want to be in the car and I'm an adult! I would NEVER leave my kids in the car for any amount of time, especially here in Texas. Thank goodness you were there and did the right thing!!
  • lambchristie
    lambchristie Posts: 552 Member
    I have gotten people in trouble before over moral issues and have always felt guilty afterwords. Like catching an old lady stealing soup when I worked as a food stocker. I really hate to be the reason someone's life gets flipped upside down even when it was their fault but I lack a shred of guilt over this. I think even if I did call the police I wouldn't of thought twice afterwords. I know I was right, one of the few certainties in my life.

    Flipped upside down? You would (did) save these children's lives; and their parents needed their life flipped upside down. This time you spoke up and went about your own business and the children were brought inside. What about NEXT time the parents of these 2 decides to leave their kids in the car and no one stops to help? Yes, these parents needed to be flipped upside down.
  • TAMayorga
    TAMayorga Posts: 341 Member
    I had a similar situation happen last summer but it was with an animal....a dog to be exact. I was walking back from lunch and noticed that a co-worker was pouring water through a cracked window of a car. A pit bull was lapping up the water up by the window. The animal was locked in, windows open about 2 inches on both sides, and it was in the middle of July. In Houston. The temperature index can easily reach 107 or more (high temp and high humidity).

    I live 3 hours south of Houston (and San Antonio for that matter) and to emphasize this ^^^ as well as the OP; that's 107 OUTSIDE! Way hotter inside the car and those temps skyrocket in just a few minutes.
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    I've called 911 and reported people for leaving their dogs in the car in the heat; you certainly made the right call in making sure those children weren't left to bake.
  • JenAndSome
    JenAndSome Posts: 1,893 Member
    I would have called the police............there is NO excuse or justification for leaving those kids in the car and the parent richly deserved a trip through the justice system........more than likely the kids would have been placed with a relative, but even if they entered the foster care emergency placement system, is there ANY question in your mind that they would not have been better off? Death by heat exhaustion/dehydration ain't pretty.

    " but even if they entered the foster care emergency placement system, is there ANY question in your mind that they would not have been better off? "

    YES. This was a single incident w/o real context. Yes, it was a serious incident, but there are plenty of other solutions that don't involve getting kids thrown into the foster care system. Informing the parent of the free daycare (and the implied shaming) will hopefully be a wake up call for them. Ripping their kids away from them and putting them into the system over one incident where we have little context is simply over the top. I am not defending the parent's actions, simply warning against taking children away from their parents over a single incident.

    i have known good parents that got CPS unfairly called on them, and it's... an absolute nightmare. 1000x worse than you can imagine. it is NOT a 'wake up call', it's a nightmare scenario that can ruin lives, where you're guilty by default and at risk of losing your kids in a heartbeat. yes, some kids do need to go to foster homes. but again, it should be the absolute last option.

    I have had CPS called on me and it wasn't a nightmare at all. It was a little embarrassing to have CPS out at my house, sure. But once they investigated and realized that they didn't have any reason to be there, my kids are well cared for, there is no abuse, etc etc they said thank you for your time and left. If you are a good parent you don't really have to worry about these things. The parent who left their children in the car while they worked out was not acting as a good parent. Even if there weren't free child care at the gym they should have found somewhere safe for their kids to go or skipped working out that day. They showed poor judgement and selfishness and they endangered their children.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    Wow! So glad you were there. You did the right thing!
  • Melissa_H_39
    Melissa_H_39 Posts: 11 Member
    I live in Florida and have recently witnessed this kind of behavior from a lady in the pharmacy. The child was crying in the car when I parked next to it and went in. My friend was with me and stayed in the car thinking it would only take a few minutes to get my things and be right back. I was stuck in line for 25 minutes due to a customer giving the cashier a hard time over an item they thought they seen on sale in the sales add. When I can back out the lady still had not came out to even check on the kid that was maybe 3 at oldest. My friend and I called the police and reported the tag number and as we were waiting on the police to get there ( about another 20 minutes passed) the lady came out and left about 3 minutes before the police arrived. We provided the police with a description of the vehicle and I pray everyday that the child is safe. People don't use their heads anymore. What are they thinking.
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    For those who say that they wouldn't call CPS b/c that's too harsh, where do you draw the line? These were children who should not have even been left alone AT ALL! They were left in a hot car while the parent(s) went to go workout in a place that had free child care!!! There is nothing acceptable about what was done. There is nothing forgivable about what was done. There is only gratitude that this man told someone.
  • cinderwolfeh
    cinderwolfeh Posts: 30
    Kudos for doing the right thing! I get POed when I see dogs in cars ( and I live in Vancouver it isnt nearly as hot up here) I definitely would have called the cops if there were children in danger! I cannot believe they would leave their children in the car if there was free childcare! that's just plan neglect! Even if there wasnt childcare they should have found a baby sitter!

    I can recall waiting int he car on occasion for my parents but I was much much older and it was my choice and I was left with the keys if I wanted A/C
  • JDBLY11
    JDBLY11 Posts: 577 Member
    while i agree with getting them into the daycare, i do NOT agree with some posters suggesting getting the cops involved.

    Inviting Child Protective Services into any parents life can be life ruining. It is a drastic, terrible measure that has torn many good families apart. If the problem can be rectified in any other way (such as just getting those kids into the day care and informing the parent that the daycare is there) then that is a million times better.

    Seriously, avoid sic'ing the CPS on anyone unless the circumstances are so extreme there is absolutely no other option.

    I agree. You got to talk to the parents about the problem and give them a chance to change before calling CPS. Someone called CPS on me and my husband when my son was young when we went to apply for food stamps. Whoever reported us never even talked to us about what the problem was. I was so shocked. I used to get really nervous breastfeeding in public and we were poor so I did not have the best clothes. We lived in my husband's parents house at the time so my son was in no real danger. Please talk to the parents first. They may be more than willing to listen. I know I would have been willing to talk about whatever issues the person who reported me saw. I was trying my best to properly feed and clothe my son at the time. It is so low to just call CPS without talking to the parents at all.
  • drojen
    drojen Posts: 203 Member
    Sometimes, as a parent, you have to make sacrifices. I'm thinking sacrificing a work out at the gym should have been a no-brainer instead of leaving little ones in the hot car unattended. I'm a single parent, my child has special needs - free day care or not, my child couldn't cope in the gym's day care - so I quit the gym, end of story. Can't afford to pay for a gym membership and sitters - so no gym. There are other options to work out. If you can pay a gym membership, you can pay for a treadmill or something at home. There are better solutions to this "problem". Shame on those parents and kudos to you for reporting them. It won't be the first time and it sadly won't be the last time either. I'd be checking every car in the lot for the next little while and if they're out there again - no hesitation - call the police.
  • JDBLY11
    JDBLY11 Posts: 577 Member
    For those who say that they wouldn't call CPS b/c that's too harsh, where do you draw the line? These were children who should not have even been left alone AT ALL! They were left in a hot car while the parent(s) went to go workout in a place that had free child care!!! There is nothing acceptable about what was done. There is nothing forgivable about what was done. There is only gratitude that this man told someone.

    True, it is a major problem, but talk to the parents and involve them, make it clear to them it is an issue, then if no changes are made call the CPS.
  • khoff170
    khoff170 Posts: 19
    You did good reporting to the management - saying something instead of going on in and ignoring the whole situation. Should you be elsewhere that there's not a managerial setup do not be afraid to involve the authorities as it is likely the gym (or wherever) is not the only place the parent leaves the kids in the car. There's an article in the 5/17/2013 Dallas Morning News website about a toddler who died while left in the car aat a school on an 85 degree day by her mother who worked there as a teacher.

    Heat is not the only factor either; children who are willing to speak to a passerby are at risk for pedophiles and human trafficking - I know this because I work in the federal penal system and have seen my share of very bad people.

    Reporting to the authorities could save a child's life and at the least change the parent's behavior.
  • amyx593
    amyx593 Posts: 211 Member
    I know what you mean. I'm originally from Arizona and heard about babies and children being left in cars all the time! It's terrible. Windows down or not, it gets hotter in a vehicle than it is outside, which is bad enough. Thank you for reporting it! Hopefully that parent learned their lesson- and thankfully, their children are okay.
  • mandeenicoleb
    mandeenicoleb Posts: 479 Member
    It's nice to see good people like you who didn't just leave it alone and later find out that something horrible happened. I can't imagine ever doing that....EVER. Horrible. I'm glad you were there.
  • xiamjackie
    xiamjackie Posts: 611 Member
    while i agree with getting them into the daycare, i do NOT agree with some posters suggesting getting the cops involved.

    Inviting Child Protective Services into any parents life can be life ruining. It is a drastic, terrible measure that has torn many good families apart. If the problem can be rectified in any other way (such as just getting those kids into the day care and informing the parent that the daycare is there) then that is a million times better.

    Seriously, avoid sic'ing the CPS on anyone unless the circumstances are so extreme there is absolutely no other option.

    It's so hard to say. Kids die every summer from leaving them in the car. I am sure the parents love them very much. I have no idea what was wrong that day. Hopefully the due to the disabled vet plate I saw on the car it could mean since military the person hasn't lived in San Antonio long and is originally from a state far north where heat isn't as much as a danger. That said why there still is an abduction risk. And so I hope the parent listened to the gym personal when they talked to her


    I would've called the police. Heat exhaustion is a real, dangerous thing. I'm from PA and it still gets above 100 here, so I don't believe that the person wouldn't have known that it gets hot in TEXAS in the SOUTH. I agree with everyone else, that if you are going to let your kids in the car when you are going to work out (which takes a long time, not like just running in for a grocery item or two) then it probably wasn't an isolated incident. No one goes into the gym for 10 minutes and works out then leaves. That parent would've probably been in there a long time before they came out to check on their kids. If you take care of your kids, child protective services won't be called on you. Period.

    Also, I work in the field of social work and it is extremely hard to present justification for taking kids away from their families. There is absolutely no possible way that if the police were called, they would've ended up in foster care the next day. It doesn't work like that. The parents would've probably gotten a good scolding though.
  • Gabrielm80
    Gabrielm80 Posts: 1,458 Member
    while i agree with getting them into the daycare, i do NOT agree with some posters suggesting getting the cops involved.

    Inviting Child Protective Services into any parents life can be life ruining. It is a drastic, terrible measure that has torn many good families apart. If the problem can be rectified in any other way (such as just getting those kids into the day care and informing the parent that the daycare is there) then that is a million times better.

    Seriously, avoid sic'ing the CPS on anyone unless the circumstances are so extreme there is absolutely no other option.

    It's so hard to say. Kids die every summer from leaving them in the car. I am sure the parents love them very much. I have no idea what was wrong that day. Hopefully the due to the disabled vet plate I saw on the car it could mean since military the person hasn't lived in San Antonio long and is originally from a state far north where heat isn't as much as a danger. That said why there still is an abduction risk. And so I hope the parent listened to the gym personal when they talked to her


    I would've called the police. Heat exhaustion is a real, dangerous thing. I'm from PA and it still gets above 100 here, so I don't believe that the person wouldn't have known that it gets hot in TEXAS in the SOUTH. I agree with everyone else, that if you are going to let your kids in the car when you are going to work out (which takes a long time, not like just running in for a grocery item or two) then it probably wasn't an isolated incident. No one goes into the gym for 10 minutes and works out then leaves. That parent would've probably been in there a long time before they came out to check on their kids. If you take care of your kids, child protective services won't be called on you. Period.

    Also, I work in the field of social work and it is extremely hard to present justification for taking kids away from their families. There is absolutely no possible way that if the police were called, they would've ended up in foster care the next day. It doesn't work like that. The parents would've probably gotten a good scolding though.
    I didn't call the cops not because I was concerned about Kids getting taken away. I only didn't because the gym so eagerly took over the situation. CPS usually tries to prevent child relocation at any cost unless there is constant neglect. Not to say that a CPS couldn't harm the family. A teacher can practically guarantee that she/he would loss his/her job if had CPS called on them. School districts constantly do back ground checks on teachers and that is a red flag for termination in most school districts. Also getting new jobs that require background checks I guess would be affected to. That said if I had to be the sole person to resolve the issue I wouldn't of thought twice about calling the SAPD. Too many kids die due to this

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