Keep a Close Eye on Your Children!

A woman reported to police that she was driving on Audra Lane (the main road that runs near our neighborhood) around 7:30 p.m. when she seen something blocking the intersection. Upon further inspection, she realized that the "something" was actually an infant car seat. She stopped to move the car seat and was stunned to find a 3-4 month old baby boy strapped in.

Before she had a chance to call police, a vehicle pulled up, a woman exited the car and began yelling at her to hand over the baby. Of course, being startled, the woman handed over the baby and watched as the vehicle sped away.

Questions abound and concerns are many that this poor child may show up again in the news due to some future neglect or abuse, but hopefully this was a lesson learned by the mother or caregiver responsible for somehow losing her infant in the middle of an intersection.

According to the Denton Record Chronicle Police Blotter, Monday, December 8, 2008 a driver called the Denton police department after seeing two small children walking along I-35 without any coats on a chilly Saturday morning. A 7 year old boy told police that he could not find his mother when he woke up and decided to go to his grandmother's house. The 7 year old boy packed a diaper bag for his 1 year old brother and set out to find grandma about 9:30 am. Child Protective Services were called to take the children into care and the mother was nowhere to be found.

In July of 2008 State officials closed a day care center in Denton after a 5 year old boy found his way out of the center and walked across a very busy parking lot, a busy street with a dangerous intersection, bought a coke at a gas station, and was found in the Hooter's Parking lot right off I-35. Thankfully he was unharmed, but the outcome could have been tragic.

These three very recent stories should be a warning for all parents, caregivers, and the public. Children should not be left to wander the streets and if you see something that doesn't seem quiet right, it probably isn't. If no one had stopped to help these children when they did, they could have been severely hurt, if not killed.

Research shows that young children age three and younger are the most frequent victims of fatalities. Due to their vulnerability, dependency, and inability to defend themselves, according to www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/fatality.cfm

Most children will attempt to open a door and run outside, but as an adult, parent, and caregiver, it is your responsibility to keep these types of things from happening.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call:

The Child Abuse Hotline

In Texas Call 1-800-252-5400

National Hot Line 1-800-4ACHILD

or call your local police department