Debate Over Tinley Park Mom Arrested for Child Endangerment
There has been much debate over the local story about a Tinley Park mother of three that left her sleeping toddler in the car while she accompanied her other two kids to a Salvation Army kettle to donate some money. The child was sleeping plus it was icy out. The family station wagon was parked at the curb about 30 feet away and was locked with the emegency flashers on.
This happened at a Crestwood Wal-mart and a community police officer arrested the Mom when she returned to her car. The arrest changed this Mom’s life and her family’s. She was arrested in front of her children. The family was investigated by DCFS. She has been the center of a well publicized child neglect case. Anyone that knows this woman feels she is an excellent parent.
She was to appear for her trial today but Cook County prosecutors dropped the charges. I feel that this was heavy handed law that was dished out by a community police officer patrolling the Wal-mart parking lot. He was probably angry that Mom parked at the curb instead of in the lot and noticed the sleeping toddler inside. Illinois law states that if a child is left in a car for 10 minutes it could be considered child endangerment. This did not take 10 minutes.
How do you feel about this? Please place your vote (and your argument) on this debate page created in Squidoo - click the link below:
