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Baby left in hot car in Layton dies

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need for law | 2:35 p.m. June 23, 2008

Why does't Utah have a law for this? This happens all to often here and we need our legislators to step up.

mattwend | 2:46 p.m. June 23, 2008

Jail time and prosecution make little sense for this mother. I don't like the arguments about the tax burden or that justice must be done. Those are harsh and heartless.

I have a beautiful 5 month old baby and I'm totally afraid I will forget about her because she's 9 years younger than my other children and I'm still getting used to having a totally dependant child again. I'm making it a habit to leave my car door open until I've gotten in the back seat to get my baby out to make sure I don't forget.

That mother is being punished. There is not doubt. She doesn't need jail, and I think we should show her and her family compassion.

Perhaps it's time for a heavy duty ad campaign like the railroad ads or "never shake a baby" that have tried to help people avoid dangerous behaviors. Not everyone reads newspapers or watches the news. It is possible for someone to have missed hearing about the Kearns incident.

Maybe the devastated mother's could be assigned community service to help prevent such tragedies from happening again. Let's get some posters up around convenience stores. Let everyone know the danger.

Mattwend | 2:52 p.m. June 23, 2008

Anonymous,

If my babysitter left my child in a hot car and my baby died, I would be just as heartbroken as if I'd done it myself and I would also know my babysitter would not have done it on purpose, so I would be agonized for her sake, too. It was an accident. I'm not one to ask for an eye for an eye. Revenge doesn't bring back the child, only trying to help prevent future incidents will do that. A law against leaving children in vehicles may be called for.

This dangerous practice could very easily be taught in every drivers education course to make sure most people are educated about the problem.

Comments continue below

BRAD | 2:59 p.m. June 23, 2008

How tragic.

Matthew | 3:11 p.m. June 23, 2008

I feel so sorry for this whole family. Not every mistake is a crime, even if it results in a death. I hope the DA looks at the facts of this incident carefully when deciding if a crime was committed or not.

To all that claim they would never forget (or havenever forgotten)...
Maybe you already have and just forgot about it!
Get real all you vindictive, judgemental, and stone casting people. What she did was either forgetful, or poor judgement. Everybody makes mistakes and this one has its own, built-in punishment attached. I just hope all involved can find peace and forgiveness, eventually.

As to tax-payer cost, what a poor basis to decide such an issue one way or the other.

Todd, Norfolk, VA | 3:16 p.m. June 23, 2008

This is why we have judges. I can't believe how many people think it would be okay to press charges against this woman. Even charges of child neglect have to demontrate mens rea (criminal intent). I'm sorry but someone who willingly admits to forgetting their child in a car doesn't qualify as someone trying to hurt their child in my book. Especially in Utah where she will be ostracized for being the worst mother in town. Remember the guy who left his son in the car in the mountains and his little boy got out in a snow storm and wondered into a snowy grave. They charged his dad and his dad took his life the day he was supposed to report to jail. Give me a break! Get it right judge.

Anonymous | 3:26 p.m. June 23, 2008

I just can't wrap my brain around HOW she could forget her child for two hours. And when I think about how that child must have cried and cried before he finally lost consciousness as his body temp continued to rise, my stomach turns. The mother needs compassion, yes, but the child deserves justice. His mother's actions killed him. She was negligent. Prosecution is warranted in my opinion.

bbo | 3:32 p.m. June 23, 2008

what a sad ending of the babys life. I feel for the hole family and averyone affected by the childs death.

John | 3:38 p.m. June 23, 2008

Interesting posts. I just finished the article on the church urging members to speak out in CA against same sex marriage. Everyone posting there is screaming about how "they destroy our values" and they "hurt kids" etc.

Then I come here. I read about a mother, accident or no, who forgot and killed her child. Compassion abounds. I don't understand how you forget a child. I've never forgotten any of my children.

Why does the former situation (wherein no one is really damaged) incite such hate while the latter, painful death by neglect, only incite compassion? Why cannot both get compassion? Or both get punishment, then?

Also, to anyone that says we should do nothing to save tax dollars, for shame. How selfish is that? Do the right thing, but only if it doesn't cost me anything. Can you hear how silly that sounds?

Fred | 3:48 p.m. June 23, 2008

"I'm sure this mother will regret this neglectful act the rest of her life and beyond."

Yes, she will. And every other parent who places a helpless child in a car should remember it, because, if they do, this will never happen again.

That is why it is called accidental homicide in some states. It was an accident. And someone, helpless to defend him/herself, died because of it. And so some states have chosen to affix a penalty for that.

I suppose it is to Utah's credit that its citizens are more forgiving of deadly forgetfulness.

Michelle | 4:02 p.m. June 23, 2008

I have 2 things to say:

First, these things happen sometimes. One time I ran to the store for something. I normally would not have had my daughter with me, but this time I did. I forgot she was in the car. Yes, parents make mistakes. Luckily, I remembered pretty quickly, but it does happen. This mom will never be the same and to assume that not putting her in jail will make others think they can do the same thing is completely ridiculous. Mothers don't think it through before they do this...it just happens.

Secondly, to horrified, who watches her children so closely that she can't clean her house. That is another way to hurt your children. Rather than just following them around all day, teach them to help you clean the house. I have a feeling this lady sits on the couch all day with the kids in front of her playing, while she watches TV. No wonder the house is a mess.

No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. We all must own up to and suffer for our mistakes. I think in this instance both of these have been accomplished.

jail time? | 4:03 p.m. June 23, 2008

I am in favor of prosecution if the offender is a threat to society. I am not in favor of punishment for punishment's sake.

Based on the facts reported here, this woman does not deserve punishment. If the facts turn out to be different (it was on purpose, etc.) then prosecution may be warranted.

It is not unheard of to forget a child, especially if you aren't used to taking him on errands, etc. She won't do it again, she's not harming anyone by remaining in society. Just to punish her so "others will be wary" is not a good enough argument, because criminals who are mean enough to kill on purpose are not deterred by the justice system. Putting her in jail will not save more live or keep more people safe.

anonymous | 4:03 p.m. June 23, 2008

God forbid any of you to have a hard stressful day that you do something that causes harm to someone. For goodness sake, put the stupid 'M' on her dress for murderer already and put her on the street corner. Then when your picture shows up in the paper for the mistake you made, we will get your dress ready as well. Give her a freakin break!! God will forgive and you should too.

Janice | 4:08 p.m. June 23, 2008

There is no excuse for somebody leaving a baby in a car. Absolutely no excuse. You people can whitewash it all you want, but she was very negligent and she needs to pay for killing another human being. In this case, her own child. You do not leave a baby in the car at any time. You just don't.

Degrees of evil.... | 4:08 p.m. June 23, 2008

Which is worse?
The horrific outcome of this mother and baby's tragedy?
Or the cold hearted judgement of people who think they are above all others?
There are no winners here.

Family comes first | 4:14 p.m. June 23, 2008

This mother NEEDS to be charged with neglect. A first offense is not going to send her to jail however and I don't think she needs that.
I do think we all need to look at our own lives and figure out what needs to be cut out. In Utah we have a horrible case of keeping up with the Joneses. We need to stop, slow down and prioritize what is most important in our lives. We are too busy making sure that we are serving others and forgetting about serving our own familes

Slow down part 2 | 4:23 p.m. June 23, 2008

Another thought: maybe she could do public service announcements as her "punishment". Let people know how she is feeling and what her thought process was. It would be helpful if we could all learn from her mistake but we don't. I do not in any way think that she is a bad mother, I think she is a mother too quick to say yes and overburdened.

People are heartless! | 4:25 p.m. June 23, 2008

Deseret News should shut down this forum until people can be civil. The hate that exists right now is unacceptable. Don't judge until you have been in that persons shoes....a good recipe for life. This is a hate forum! I think it is a crime.

babysitter? | 4:26 p.m. June 23, 2008

This is hardly a comparison. A daycare in ID recently left a 3 year old boy in the van for several hours on a hot day. If that were my son, I would defentantly be insisting charges be filed. They are being paid to focus only on your child(ren) and nothing else. As parents, unfortunately now days, we have to juggle several responsibilities at the same time. I personally, don't get how a mother can forget her child in the car. But then, I have forgotten other things in regard to the safety of my children and been really upset with myself over it. So even though I don't "get it," I can still have compassion for this mother. This baby may have been of those really quiet, happy to be anywhere doing anything babies that hardly ever fusses or demands anything. My boys aren't like that. Maybe she was used to having long periods of quiet time, I don't know. No one knows but the Lord. She will be judged accordingly, regardless of the law.

Dantley | 4:29 p.m. June 23, 2008

Something that doesn't add up, is if you were a friend, wouldn't you ask where your baby is?

Help! | 4:31 p.m. June 23, 2008

Tragedies happen. What can car manufacturers do to help prevent such sad deaths? They found a way to put in an inside trunk release. What about a sensor that beeps when a car is not running and the seats are not empty. Some cars already have weight sensors built in to turn off airbags for people who are too light. Something could be done to help prevent these heart-breaking hyporthermia deaths.

Beth | 4:31 p.m. June 23, 2008

I know that this mother will feel guilt for the rest of her life, yet it was more than just a few minutes!!! I am a mother of three and caregiver for several and I can understand how you can unload a car load and run in the house and MOMENTARILY forget your child, but there is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE for someone to forget thier child for a couple of hours - come on!! I am sorry but in my world compassion falls short to those that neglect children. And as far as I am concerned forgetting your child for more than a few minutes is neglect (and by few I mean 5 - 10 at the most!!)

Adrienne | 4:32 p.m. June 23, 2008

In some states, this is known as child endangerment at the very least, and homicide when the child dies. There's no excuse for leaving a child in the car. I think this should be a federal crime.

WC | 4:34 p.m. June 23, 2008

But this woman was straight, I assume, so that makes her and her daughter a better family than a gay one - so says the other article about the church supporting the gay marriage ban amendment in California.

anonymous | 4:44 p.m. June 23, 2008

who is whitewashing it? We see it for what it is! and we are big enough people to understand that people make mistakes.Everyone is so ready to jump down her throat for leaving her baby in her car, but have you stopped to think of any of the dumb things you might do that might affect people, maybe this mom would NEVER do any of the dumb things you do, like smoke around your children and give them lung cancer that would cause them to have a shorter life.Lets round up all those folks for a hanging since they are murderes as well. Just something to think about to those of you with the beam in your eye.

Mark Raleigh | 5:16 p.m. June 23, 2008

Shame on all who are "thirsting for the blood of this young mother". Who among us has NEVER made a mistake, or an error in judgement. The world needs more compassion, not more condemnation. No punishment that a judical system can inflict will be more severe than the punishment she is inflicting on herself.

We see this more frequently than we should, that is true. But ALL of us are so busy with our petty lives that it could happen to any one of us.

I hope and pray her family will be able to heal. I hope God is watching over them in this time of trial. And I hope we can all find some forgiveness in our hearts.

I grew up in Utah. Lived there for 33 years. If this is the attitude of most folks these days, I am glad I no longer live there.

AL | 5:29 p.m. June 23, 2008

Ever since we moved to UT we and our friends who have relocated here have been shocked at how little life is valued in this state. Numerous irrigation drownings to children left in overheated cars speak loud and clear of the worst parenting we have ever seen. The "life is cheap" theme spills over into many other facets of UT life. We hope this "mother" is prosecuted to the full limit of the law. If she is not it will be yet another testament to how life is not valued here and how justice is winked at.

anonymous | 5:30 p.m. June 23, 2008

She should be charged with negligent homicide. How a mother could forget about the welfare of her child for even a few minutes is beyond me. I raised four children and although I am sure we all have failings, my priority was always the safety and security of my children. Please prosecute her.

Sandy | 5:53 p.m. June 23, 2008

I don't understand the heartless msgs. I am extremely sorry for this mother. I personally have gone through finding my child in a hot car and it was the scariest thing I have ever gone through. My child was 2 and a half and was playing hide and seek with her friends. She thought the car would be a good place and I, too, was looking everywhere for her. It was over 100 dedrees outside and we found her after she had been in there 15 minutes. She couldnot open the door and had locked herself in. It was very terrifying. She was hyperventalating. So for all you perfect parents that have NEVER left your child unattended for 15 minutes, not at day care, not during the night, not with a friend, not EVER. I'm so glad your child is so much safer that you're the parents. Have some compassion!

preventive electronic device | 6:01 p.m. June 23, 2008

Please? Can somebody invent some device that would have a termometer, that would call to thre diferents phone numbers, with a message of a child in danger, and that also would have a GPS to locate the child. This device could be some flat thing to be put on the back of the baby clothe in contact with his neck' skin. So, whenever the baby's body would achieve certain temperature, this device would automatically call the indicated phones and alert the parent in charge. Maybe this could be used to avoid a baby horrible death and the worse crushing pain that will last forever in the life of the child's parent, when such a thing happens. Please somebody? Anybody?

justin | 6:03 p.m. June 23, 2008

i think that it is sad that, when ever a white lds woman, neglects her child, thus causing it's death, then it is all right. but when it is maria lopez or tameka johnson from rose park then it is a crime. what a great symbol to prove that this state is no zion, no matter what other talking monkeys may say.

To AL | 6:11 p.m. June 23, 2008

There but for the grace of God go you! Heaven forbid you ever make a mistake! "How little life is valued" ??? What a haughty attitude!!

Shariee | 6:31 p.m. June 23, 2008

"there for the grace of god go we???"

in which alternate reality???

good grief! if you have so many kids you can't remember whether they're all with you or not, you have too many kids!!! be responsible enough to hire a competent nanny to help you out!!!

choices to have so many babies have consequences! this consequence KILLED an innocent baby. for shame! :(

Copy Cats | 7:01 p.m. June 23, 2008

Nothing happened when Miles Gailey mom "forgot" she had him and everyone saw that! I knew their would be "I forgot I have kids" copy cats if she was not punished and here it is!!!

Charles | 7:03 p.m. June 23, 2008

As soon as all you "throw the book at her" types say the same thing about the unborn child that is murdered (has it's life conscientiously ended in the name of choice) each day, then we will be getting somewhere.

You know what, why don't we just consider this baby one that made it through a botched abortion and pretend that Barak Obama just left it on the table to die since he is ok with that scenario?

Until then, your choices are much more harmful that this tragic accident. And to "need for law" at the top of this page....this happens "too" often in this state? Do you have a clue as to how often it really happens? Didn't think so....

to anony @ 5:30pm | 7:07 p.m. June 23, 2008

Don't hurt yourself as you pat yourself on the back for being such a wonderful mother.

By the tone of your comment, I'm sorry for you children as you have no sense of compassion.

Ouch | 7:53 p.m. June 23, 2008

It actually hurts to read these comments. So many mean, heartless people out there. It sounds like a tragic mistake for which the woman must be suffering beyond our comprehension.

May the family have peace at this difficult time.

Curious Duckman | 8:48 p.m. June 23, 2008

What would be the purpose of prosecuting the mother?

Retribution: Do you think that the State of Utah can punish her anymore than her losing her child?

Get her off the street so as not to repeat the crime: I think she learned her lesson. I doubt she will leave another child in a car.

Rehabilitation: Do you think this is a purposefull act that needs behavorial adjustment?

Send a message to society to watch their kids better: Who protects their children only because they are afraid of going to jail?

Terrible thing that happened.

I remember a father a few years back that left his son in the truck while he hunted, and the child died. Didn't the father go to the same sight where his son died and take his own life.

I just don't see winners in this case.

Think past your nose | 9:00 p.m. June 23, 2008

How many of you have ever had a baby accidentally taken something posonous, but your child was saved? Has you baby ever gotten hurt, got a broken bone or gotten a bad sickness that they picked up from others. By the grace of God they were saved.

Some people do have memory lapses that are biologically caused. Even young people can have them. I think I am one of them and I know that God has blessed me immensely in protecting my six children. I am very protective of my children and I live my life for them.

Everyone is not made the same! Stop thinking that people are just like you.

new mom | 9:33 p.m. June 23, 2008

I'm a new mom and I would die if anything happened to my son! There really is no way to forget your child was in the car. To say that is like saying the woman who drowned her children years back didn't know the car was going into the water, and that they "happened" to be in the car. Sure she may feel bad but hey when you are responsible for a baby you take responsibility for your actions. Know where your babies are at all times.

What does Cleetorn mean.. | 9:51 p.m. June 23, 2008

Cleetorn, what does your name mean..something perhaps reflective of your unapropriate remarks?

re:Think past your nose | 9:53 p.m. June 23, 2008

This is why all babies should be equipped with a cell phone.

If you forget where the baby is, you call the phone and wait for it to ring.

No, serious, I'm all for compassion for the mother, and don't want anyone to press charges, but how do you forget a baby in the car?

"Hey, remember that thing I pushed out of my birth canal 6 mos. ago, you remember, we gave it a name and bought it a crib? Where did I leave that again? I checked my pockets..."

Come on people. Too many Utahns have 6 kids then act like it won't matter losing a few here or there. Carpool and drop children off at Lagoon. Let your children wander the hood all day and night?

Little innocent spirits that should all be cherished and protected.

Get a sticky note and write "Baby in car" on it and put it on your forehead so you can see it in your mirror when you check your makeup.

No, God didn't protect your little cherubs. You let them drink Poison, get in situations and they broke bones, probably other things. You didn't live your life for them.

Just Lucky.

A lawyer | 10:07 p.m. June 23, 2008

Any of you sympthetic numbskulls that "understand" how this could happen need to do a real long reality check. You are complete and utterly self-centered to be capable of something like this.

Any of you vindictive types should spend the tax money on therapy for the father.

Why do we forget things, Ms Nose | 10:09 p.m. June 23, 2008

Psychologists talk of cognitive maps. It is a handy metaphor ; a useful analogy. For the mind cannot handle the complexity of the world, any more than a motorist or hiker can all the roads and trails. So the brain abstracts information from the welter of detail presented to it, and constructs a cognitive map of what it sees; and this simplified, standardized re-presentation of the world is what it offers to our conscious awareness.

Like the cartographer, we give conscious prominence to what interests us and diminish what does not. Just as the cartographer will present a road that appears to be three-hundred yards wide to the motorist, so our minds will present an image of a rose that appears to be very large to a rose-fancier. Just a cartographer may omit altogether any representaion of trees to the motorist, so our minds may omit altogether any representation of rabbits when our interest and attention is on blackberries.

We might forget to mentally record where we put our keys, our cell-phone, our gloves. This is what forgetfull people do. They omit things either unimportant or things of great importance because they would never forget "that".

Blame-the-BRAIN.

It's only human.

New Law | 10:14 p.m. June 23, 2008

Make it illegal to forget.

Forget your money one day, it'll be your baby the next day.

Let's put all the forgetfull people in one giant jail and hope someone remembers where the key is when we realize we are all forgetfull.

christopher | 10:21 p.m. June 23, 2008

10 babies have died because they were left in cars?? How many others luckily didn't die?? My goodness people, TAKE YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU!!!!! Why the heck did you have children if you're just going to leave them wherever the heck you want to. Man!

Lucky us | 10:40 p.m. June 23, 2008

A lawyer here finally at 10:07 to pontificate.

I looking through all of my lawbooks and can't find numbskull.

Would the definition mean "someone who is around people all day who have made poor decisions, and therefore, their skulls become to numb to think using logic and sequitur thoughts"?

If we understand how this happened, are we all really capable of forgetting a child in a car.

I believe the Savior, Ghandi, Buddha, Mother Teresa, Bishop Tutu, Dr. King, Mandella would all probably be able to understand, so you would argue they are all capable of leaving a baby in a car and should be found guilty and put away so they could never leave a baby in a car again?

Fill the jails with forgiving, compassionate Human beings?

Wonder why there are so many lawyer jokes around.

I guess lawyers such as yourself

Dave | 10:40 p.m. June 23, 2008

Sorry, i think she needs to be charged.

Let's hit the high points. I won't quote directly, just mention the concept.

One person said that it's for the Saviour to judge her. If that were so, we'd have no need for courts. We'd just let criminals wait for the judgment of the Lord.

Many have mentioned how much agony the mother has and will go through. No offense, but DUH. I don't think anyone here thinks she has no conscience. Does that mean we let criminals off the hook if they feel bad? I think not.

A few have mentioned how this was just an accident. Fine. But this accident had someone at fault. Accountability goes hand in hand with causing an accident.

One person even wrote "He who is without sin".. etc. None of us are without sin. But juries sit in judgment of criminals every day. Is our jury system un-Christlike?

Lastly, I wonder how many people thinking this woman should get away with child neglect resulting in death... would you still think so if she weren't white? If she were hispanic? You people would screaming for her illegal-alien head (without knowing if she were illegal.)

Anonymous | 11:18 p.m. June 23, 2008

We can be like Javair or John Vajohn. I always choose mercy.

Dave in Pittsburgh | 11:24 p.m. June 23, 2008

First of all, no one is questioning whether this mother loved her kid or not.

That is not the issue. The issue is the loss of life, and this loss of life was directly due to the mother's negligence.

Children cannot protect or care for themselves. When the parents do not adequately do this, society must step in to protect the child. Since this child cannot be protected anymore, the mother must be held accountable.

Children must become a parent's most priceless possession. Thoughtless acts like this mother did show that this child was not paramount in her mind.

The message of parents to pay stricter heed to their child's well being is getting through by the media. But I wonder if no penalty is issued to the mother, what kind of message is that sending?

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