A little boy I know is in the hospital

[bcoop]

I expect that in the next few years auto makers will be mandated to build in safeguards for this. I would think they could easily piggy back the weight sensors in the front seats that turns off the airbags for kids under 50 lbs or whatever it is, and add those sensors to the rear seat.

[Gear_Jammer]

That's really sad to hear and I hope the little guy pulls out of it. I've never forgotten that one of my kids were in the car either, but as weird as it may sound, I see how it could happen. I say that not as an excuse for doing something that can have such a harsh result (i.e. coma, death, etc.), but more of an explanation. We all get busy and/or sidetracked at times - some people worse than others.

I have a friend that did almost the same thing with his son 8-10 years ago and his little boy died. He was a very loving and careful dad and never had anything even remotely close to that before, but all it took was that one time. My friend and his wife recovered from it fairly well and have gone on with life, but I can only imagine the level of guilt, shame and pain that will probably live with him for the rest of his life.

Those of you that say you would NEVER do something like that, you need to change that to say you haven't EVER done anything like that. Nobody starts their day saying "Today I'm going to make one of the worst mistakes I could ever make in life." That's not the way those kinds of things happen, regardless of whether it's deciding to floor it so you can make it through the yellow light that results in a fatality accident or accidentally leaving your kid in the car. Was it "wrong"? Yes...clearly, but that's not really the issue. The issue is was it intentional, careless disregard or just plain forgetfulness because you get distracted. I'm not trying to minimize it at all, but IMHO you have to measure it by the action, not the result.

[Baron Von Crowder]

That's really sad to hear and I hope the little guy pulls out of it. I've never forgotten that one of my kids were in the car either, but as weird as it may sound, I see how it could happen. I say that not as an excuse for doing something that can have such a harsh result (i.e. coma, death, etc.), but more of an explanation. We all get busy and/or sidetracked at times - some people worse than others.

I have a friend that did almost the same thing with his son 8-10 years ago and his little boy died. He was a very loving and careful dad and never had anything even remotely close to that before, but all it took was that one time. My friend and his wife recovered from it fairly well and have gone on with life, but I can only imagine the level of guilt, shame and pain that will probably live with him for the rest of his life.

Those of you that say you would NEVER do something like that, you need to change that to say you haven't EVER done anything like that. Nobody starts their day saying "Today I'm going to make one of the worst mistakes I could ever make in life." That's not the way those kinds of things happen, regardless of whether it's deciding to floor it so you can make it through the yellow night that results in a fatality accident or accidentally leaving your kid in the car. Was it "wrong"? Yes...clearly, but that's not really the issue. The issue is was it intentional, careless disregard or just plain forgetfulness because you get distracted. I'm not trying to minimize it at all, but IMHO you have to measure it by the action, not the result.

Sounds like lawyer talk.

[ceyko]

I'd fucking kill myself before anyone got the chance to call me a piece of shit.

Same, I don't think I could live with myself.

I've never remotely forgot them (I'll pretend I did to get them spun up) but never even close. Of course, I don't shuttle them around daily either.

In our case too, there are twins - 2 or more kids tend to not let you forget about them.

I'm not going to bash the guy, but can understand people's opinions that do. I can't think of a reasonable excuse that is acceptable. "I fucked up" is the answer.

I hope the kid pulls through okay.