Every summer we hear of tragedies where children were “forgotten” in the car, and it results in death. As a parent, I 100% understand how our brains get wonky. I am always doing weird stuff and forgetting things. The other day, my SO almost left the house without shoes on. As parents, these things happen.

However, I can’t imagine ever forgetting my child was in the car. Maybe that’s what the parents who had this happen to them said as well. I doubt anyone “plans” to leave their child in a hot car. Maybe I am being naive, but I just can’t imagine, even with all the chaos of life, forgetting my baby in the car.

Should parents who experience these tragedies be charged with manslaughter? I work in child welfare, and have had tragedies occur due to negligence (baby rolling into crack between the wall and bed, etc.), but parents are never charged with a crime. Should they be? I know plenty of “accidents” that are blatant examples of negligence. If you accidentally hit a cyclist and they pass away, it’s manslaughter. If you accidentally leave your child in a hot car, should it be handled the same way?

Like I said, I may be simply being naive, but I can’t imagine forgetting my child is in the car.