Leaving Kids in the Car for Five Minutes Isn’t Child Abuse

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I recently left my two boys in the car while I dashed into a local bakery. My younger son was napping, and I didn’t want to disturb him just to grab a loaf of bread—something that would take just a minute. I left the windows slightly open, made my way across the street, and quickly bought what I needed. My heart raced the entire time, but not because I feared someone would snatch them away; they were merely 20 feet from me and in my line of sight. The weather was cool, and the car was parked under a shady tree, so overheating wasn’t a concern either.

No, the real worry was the possibility of being accused of child abuse or neglect, which was so stressful I promised myself never to do it again—even if it meant waking a sleeping toddler for a brief errand. Thankfully, a recent ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court offers some clarity. Columnist and free-range parenting advocate, Clara Johnson, described this decision as “a beacon of common sense,” stating that leaving a child in a car for a short time on a mild day doesn’t automatically equate to abuse or neglect.

The New Jersey Case

In this New Jersey case, a mother known as M.A. left her toddler in the car on a 55-degree day while running into a Dollar Store. Upon her return, security had contacted the police, leading to a lengthy six-year legal ordeal. The unanimous ruling now allows M.A. to present her case in court, which had previously been denied. It also means that she and other parents in similar situations won’t automatically be added to the state’s Child Abuse and Neglect Registry—something that could severely impact their job prospects.

This is a step in the right direction. Many parents, including Sarah Thompson, who faced arrest for leaving her child in a cool car for just five minutes, have been caught up in a frenzy to punish parents for minor missteps, even when the actual risk to the child is extremely low. It’s important to clarify that this discussion doesn’t involve parents who leave their kids in vehicles for extended periods or in hot weather—those situations are genuinely concerning and often stem from neglect or extreme forgetfulness. According to Clara, “Of the 30-40 children who die in hot cars each year, 80% were left there for hours or snuck in when no one was watching. They weren’t just waiting in the car while a parent ran into a store.”

Understanding Parental Risks

The New Jersey Supreme Court acknowledged that parents cannot provide a completely risk-free environment for their kids. Engaging in activities like swimming, driving, or flying all involve some level of risk. The increasing scrutiny from law enforcement and the judicial system is creating an unreasonable climate of fear for parents. As noted by a law professor at the University of Idaho, “No one can definitively say which risks are acceptable or not; we don’t prosecute parents for driving kids in cars, despite that being riskier than leaving them in a stationary vehicle.”

It’s disheartening that responsible parents, who believe the danger of leaving a child in a cool car for a few minutes is negligible, find themselves entangled in these legal challenges. The fear of police intervention looms over our parenting decisions. As the professor pointed out, “It’s easy to criticize others’ parenting choices, but it’s alarming when the state intervenes based on those critiques.”

A Step Towards Common Sense

I’m relieved that M.A. won her lengthy battle and that Sarah Thompson was able to resolve her situation with community service and parenting classes. However, they should never have been subjected to such scrutiny in the first place. During my childhood in the 1970s, it was perfectly normal to wait in the car, and no one batted an eye. Today, the expectation of constant supervision can feel suffocating and even restrict our children’s freedom. We should be able to pop into a bakery without worrying about someone calling the authorities.

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Conclusion

In summary, the recent New Jersey Supreme Court ruling brings hope to parents feeling the pressure of overregulation. It’s a reminder that minor errands should not come with the fear of being labeled an unfit parent. We need to find a balance that allows us to parent with a little more freedom and less anxiety.