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I had a two-year-old who was also prone to running off. We couldn't let him out of our sight, even to answer the phone, because he would be out of the house and down the street looking for someone to play.
I think the parents' relief and gratitude indicates a loving family who had a bad day. Thank God you were there to protect the little boy in the parking garage before he got into trouble!
Last edited by formercalifornian; 09-24-2009 at 10:21 AM..
I had a two-year-old who was also prone to running off. We couldn't let him out of our sight, even to answer the phone, because he would be out of the house and down the street looking for someone to play.
I think the parents relief and gratitude indicates a loving family who had a bad day. Thank God you were there to protect the little boy in the parking garage before he got into trouble!
That is how our 2yr old is. I have to explain to anyone watching him that "don't take your eyes off him" is quite literal, because as soon as you lose visual contact of him he is gone!
This could have ended much worse and good thing someone stepped up to plate and did something. Too often we see people look the other way and figure it's not their business and they're not going to worry about it.
Aaaaarrgghhh, one of those threads I start and totally forget about it
Well, the mom fixed me good food last night (after I delayed it a lot owing to my schedule) and I figured I forgot this thread. I must say she cooks good. And that kid is pretty hyper, still. She's now installed a sensor at her door, which she told me will beep if the door gets opened when she is not paying attention.
I think you did the right thing. It sounds like the mom is not neglectful, just one of those situations where a hyperactive kid gets away without anyone noticing for a while. I'm guessing most parents have lost track of their kids at some point, maybe not as dangerous a situation as this was. She's taken steps to resolve future escapes, so calling the police would have put an innocent family through an unnecessary hardship.
A friend of a friend wasn't feeling well one weekend morning and slept in. Her husband got up very early and took their older child fishing. The mother awoke to a police officer with CPS worker in tow holding her three year old who had gotten up and left the house (Dad had locked the door but the upper chain lock could only be locked from the inside and Mom was in bed). The Mom invited the them in, profusely apologizing. The CPS worker asked to see the kid's rooms, when she saw that the older boy's room (the one fishing) was being renovated and he was sleeping in the bonus room, she determined the house was unsafe for children and the kid's were removed for THIRTY days. It took an entire appeals process and court dates for this poor woman to get her kids back.
I would have called the cops.. its not my place to go around lookin for some kid's parents, and like you, I'd be more worried about being accused of kidnapping.
Aaaaarrgghhh, one of those threads I start and totally forget about it
Well, the mom fixed me good food last night (after I delayed it a lot owing to my schedule) and I figured I forgot this thread. I must say she cooks good. And that kid is pretty hyper, still. She's now installed a sensor at her door, which she told me will beep if the door gets opened when she is not paying attention.
That sensor is a great idea. My brother started sleepwalking when he was about 11. We lived in an apartment building high-rise. He managed to get out the door, get on the elevator, go down to the lobby and was on his way out the front door to the "mean streets" (LOL) of the upper east side,when the doorman grabbed him.
This was before everyone had Brinks sensors on every orifice of their home, and all he had to undo was a deadbolt.
We have the sensors on our doors also. My MIL found them on HSN awhile back for about 5 bucks a piece. The ones here I found in the stores were like 20 bucks for one. Anyway it gave me piece of mind, I could do laundry or cook without having to constantly go look to see where my little escape artist was at the moment.
We also have sensors on our doors. More than once my husband and I have been upstairs and we hear "beep, beep, beep", look at each other, and run downstairs to find our 3 year old trying to walk out the door.
I've heard plenty of parents of similar aged kids tell stories of when their little ones escaped the house and were found by neighbors before they even knew the kid was gone. I don't think it means the parents are irresponsible, at least not the first time. After that, it's time to install something on the door to prevent it from happening again, which is what it sounds like this mom did.
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