Mom faces trial for leaving toddler in car

Liebling:-))) · 03-14-2008, 09:59 AM

I am not sure either I should create a thread under "Stupid and Strange" or "Current Events".

Mom faces trial for leaving toddler in car

Controversial child endangerment case stirs Internet debate

Quote:

CHICAGO - Treffly Coyne was out of her car for just minutes and no more than 10 yards away.

But that was long and far enough to land her in court after a police officer spotted her sleeping 2-year-old daughter alone in the vehicle; Coyne had taken her two older daughters to pour $8.29 in coins into a Salvation Army kettle.

Minutes later, she was under arrest — the focus of both a police investigation and a probe by the state’s child welfare agency. Now the case that has become an Internet flash point for people who either blast police for overstepping their authority or Coyne for putting a child in danger.

The 36-year-old suburban mother is preparing to go on trial Thursday on misdemeanor charges of child endangerment and obstructing a peace officer. If convicted, she could be sentenced to a year in jail and fined $2,500, even though child welfare workers found no credible evidence of abuse or neglect.

On Dec. 8 Coyne decided to drive to Wal-Mart in the Chicago suburb of Crestwood so her children and a young friend could donate the coins they’d collected at her husband’s office.

Even as she buckled 2-year-old Phoebe into the car, the girl was asleep. When Coyne arrived at the store, she found a spot to park in a loading zone, right behind someone tying a Christmas tree onto a car.

“It’s sleeting out, it’s not pleasant, I don’t want to disturb her, wake her up,” Coyne said this week. “It was safer to leave her in the safety and warmth of an alarmed car than take her.”

So Coyne switched on the emergency flashers, locked the car, activated the alarm and walked the other children to the bell ringer.

She snapped a few pictures of the girls donating money and headed back to the car. But a community service officer blocked her way.

“She was on a tirade, she was yelling at me,” Coyne said. The officer, Coyne said, didn’t want to hear about how close Coyne was, how she never set foot inside the store and was just there to let the kids donate money, or how she could always see her car.

Coyne telephoned her husband, Tim Janecyk, who advised her not to say anything else to police until he arrived. So Coyne declined to talk further, refusing even to tell police her child’s name.

When Janecyk pulled up, his wife already was handcuffed, sitting in a patrol car.

Crestwood Police Chief Timothy Sulikowski declined to comment about the case. But he did not dispute the contention that Coyne parked nearby or was away from her car for just a few minutes.

He did, however, suggest Coyne put her child at risk.

“A minute or two, that’s when things can happen,” he said.

Online debate
Talk about the case has intensified, particularly online, where bloggers are weighing in on various message boards.

Many have harsh words for the police department, calling the arrest of a mother who left her child in a locked car for a few minutes an abuse of authority.

Yet statistics show thousands of children are injured and dozens die every year after being left unattended near or inside vehicles.

“I am talking tens of thousands of people who leave their kids in the car for any period of time all around America,” said Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kansas-based Kids and Cars. “People don’t appreciate the dangers of leaving a child alone in the car.”

Coyne’s attorney, Michelle Forbes, argued that Coyne did not break the law any more than a mother who parks in front of a school in a rainstorm and leaves an infant in the car as she runs a few feet to pick up another child.

“As long as the car is not out of her sight, then the child is not unattended,” she said.

Coyne and her husband believe she is unfairly being lumped in with parents who put their children’s lives at risk.

“If I were going on a shopping spree then, yes, I would deserve arrest,” Coyne said. “I was standing right there. I never went into the store.

“I’m a great parent.”

Mom on trial for leaving toddler in car - Kids and parenting - MSNBC.com

Ohhhh pleeeaasssseeee

Yes, I left my both sons in the car alone for pay at gas for a FEW minutes often because I can see them from window while I pay for gas... Of course police car were there and said NOTHING.

I can't beleive that some people could be too extreme. I think it's ridiculous to punish this poor woman... *shake my head sigh*

WBHarley · 03-14-2008, 11:38 AM

Charges dropped for mom who left tot in car

whew they update

Wendy

***VamPyroX*** · 03-14-2008, 02:06 PM

Yay!

She's free!

I also think that arresting her was too extreme simply because she was several feet away from the car.

Oh yeah, if we were to enforce this kind of thing... we should be arresting all of those people who leave their cars to go pay for gas! Yeah!

GalaxyAngel · 03-14-2008, 04:47 PM

So Many Thanks to Wendy bring update about her..
She's freed!

Police is losing their marbles mind.. stupid press charge her for no reason.

I find this news really abursd!

I refuse bring my child walk up to the gas pump.. because isn't safe for my child smell the gas fumes airborne.. I'd rather my child stay inside the car for safety. I must take my car key with me and lock up the car due for my safety. Just step into the gas window for pay up.. I did many times what hell wrong w/that? I do agree w/this woman who leave their child inside the car while pouring the rain outside. Just step right there and get their child and bring into the car.. Not even left out the child alone in the car.. not even 100 mm.. Just 2 mm like 10 steps away from a car.. isn't bad. Police is totally stupid!

ClearSky · 03-14-2008, 05:04 PM

I went to a shoe store an evening, and I saw the van parked next to me was running and saw a sleeping child in the back seat, then I walked up front to go in the store and saw a baby carseat the other way, so I couldn't see if there was a baby there.

The mom was inside looking quickly at shoes. There were very few customers. I identified the mom because the children were black, and she was the only black customer in the store. She was also hurrying.

I didn't know whether or not to report this to the cashier. Why couldn't she just come another day the kids were awake to take with her? It seemed like she didn't want to wake them up.

Babyblue · 03-14-2008, 05:06 PM

It is a sticky situation but if the car was in her view, then it was not unattended Car nor child. Keys were out because she locked it and set the alarm. She used safety precautions.

I am glad the court realized that the child was not unattended.

moonflower · 03-14-2008, 05:10 PM

whew she is free
know that the mother was close to the car not for long

shel90 · 03-14-2008, 05:41 PM

This is why I do not leave my toddler in the car even if I go a few feet away to pay for gas or whatever. I am too paranoided of being falsly accused of abuse or neglect. Not worth it.

I am glad the charges were dropped.

Byrdie714 · 03-14-2008, 05:45 PM

She should be grateful that charges weren't levied on her.

Imagine if a perpertrator broke into her car and took off with the child in it.

Every 24 seconds a car is stolen here in the United States and it take less than 5 minutes to hotwire a car.

Top 10 Ways to Steal a Car (and how to defend against them)

Dixie · 03-14-2008, 09:16 PM

I have left my child unattended in a car but ONLY in my front yard to run back in to the house to quickly grab something I forgot.

I however would NOT leave her unattended in public - Im so paranoid of something happening that I take her out just to pay for the gas at the gas station.

Now if she were older, around 8-9 I wouldnt mind letting her sit in the car for a couple of minutes while I pay for the gas but thats the extent of it. But at age 4 - no, not happening.

AngelOfRoses · 03-14-2008, 10:22 PM

Think about this. How would you react after you leave your child in the car for a few mins to go to the gas station or whatever and while you are inside, someone drives up by your car and grab your child? Thats scary. Things are getting worse in the world. There are many missing children. It can happen fast. You dont want that to happen to your child, dont you?

Babyblue · 03-14-2008, 10:54 PM

I happen to agree with the above recent posts. I would not dare leave a small child in the car for a minute, much less for a few sec.. but I am saying the charges of child neglect was absurd. Since the vehicle the child was in... was locked and secured in the mothers sight.

deafbajagal · 03-19-2008, 08:57 PM

This case was absurd and pointless. The mother is in the right.

As for me, I leave my kids in the car while I'm pumping but if I have to go inside to pay, they MUST MUST MUST come in with me - I don't care if it is raining, sleeting, they're sleeping, etc. It is a hassle, but all it takes is a few seconds before you can lose them forever. If someone thinks I'm overreacting, I'd point Bear's thread about missing children.

03-14-2008, 02:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 25,832	Yay! She's free! I also think that arresting her was too extreme simply because she was several feet away from the car. Oh yeah, if we were to enforce this kind of thing... we should be arresting all of those people who leave their cars to go pay for gas! Yeah! __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

03-14-2008, 04:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
GalaxyAngel That's me! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 13,436	So Many Thanks to Wendy bring update about her.. She's freed! Police is losing their marbles mind.. stupid press charge her for no reason. I find this news really abursd! I refuse bring my child walk up to the gas pump.. because isn't safe for my child smell the gas fumes airborne.. I'd rather my child stay inside the car for safety. I must take my car key with me and lock up the car due for my safety. Just step into the gas window for pay up.. I did many times what hell wrong w/that? I do agree w/this woman who leave their child inside the car while pouring the rain outside. Just step right there and get their child and bring into the car.. Not even left out the child alone in the car.. not even 100 mm.. Just 2 mm like 10 steps away from a car.. isn't bad. Police is totally stupid! __________________ Parents' proud of Logan.

03-14-2008, 05:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
moonflower a Stargate Fan Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Washtenaw County Michigan Posts: 4,436	whew she is free know that the mother was close to the car not for long __________________ on vacation #1 from July 16 to 20th can't wait

03-14-2008, 05:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
shel90 Sun Whorshipper Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A Desert Rat that has found herself in Maryland Posts: 12,478 Blog Entries: 1	This is why I do not leave my toddler in the car even if I go a few feet away to pay for gas or whatever. I am too paranoided of being falsly accused of abuse or neglect. Not worth it. I am glad the charges were dropped. __________________ ~Shel~

03-14-2008, 10:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
AngelOfRoses ~AngelOfRoses~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 263	Think about this. How would you react after you leave your child in the car for a few mins to go to the gas station or whatever and while you are inside, someone drives up by your car and grab your child? Thats scary. Things are getting worse in the world. There are many missing children. It can happen fast. You dont want that to happen to your child, dont you? __________________ "Love is the master key that opens the gates of Happiness" These three things continue forever: Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is LOVE.

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

03-14-2008, 11:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
WBHarley Multitaskin' Wanderin'Mom Join Date: May 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 1,367	Charges dropped for mom who left tot in car whew they update Wendy

03-14-2008, 05:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
ClearSky Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 556	I went to a shoe store an evening, and I saw the van parked next to me was running and saw a sleeping child in the back seat, then I walked up front to go in the store and saw a baby carseat the other way, so I couldn't see if there was a baby there. The mom was inside looking quickly at shoes. There were very few customers. I identified the mom because the children were black, and she was the only black customer in the store. She was also hurrying. I didn't know whether or not to report this to the cashier. Why couldn't she just come another day the kids were awake to take with her? It seemed like she didn't want to wake them up.

03-14-2008, 05:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 811	It is a sticky situation but if the car was in her view, then it was not unattended Car nor child. Keys were out because she locked it and set the alarm. She used safety precautions. I am glad the court realized that the child was not unattended.

03-14-2008, 05:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
Byrdie714 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The Washington coast. Posts: 2,278	She should be grateful that charges weren't levied on her. Imagine if a perpertrator broke into her car and took off with the child in it. Every 24 seconds a car is stolen here in the United States and it take less than 5 minutes to hotwire a car. Top 10 Ways to Steal a Car (and how to defend against them)

03-14-2008, 10:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 811	I happen to agree with the above recent posts. I would not dare leave a small child in the car for a minute, much less for a few sec.. but I am saying the charges of child neglect was absurd. Since the vehicle the child was in... was locked and secured in the mothers sight.

03-19-2008, 08:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
deafbajagal Jasmine's Tiger "Lilly" Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,491	This case was absurd and pointless. The mother is in the right. As for me, I leave my kids in the car while I'm pumping but if I have to go inside to pay, they MUST MUST MUST come in with me - I don't care if it is raining, sleeting, they're sleeping, etc. It is a hassle, but all it takes is a few seconds before you can lose them forever. If someone thinks I'm overreacting, I'd point Bear's thread about missing children.

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