Hello, My name is Maria Rodriguez I
work for a program called Baby Bear Hugs it is a program that helps new
mothers & old, it's a great program. I'm not at all happy with the couple
who could dare do that, not only to your precious child but to there own. I feel
your grief, I myself have three children but I would have never left them along
in a car. In my line of work I see this allot, I visit Mexican mothers and
they need so much help & they need to be educated about things like this and
I have done so, I started a mothers group and I told them what had happened to
your little angel and I do have to say that after I read your story that I
printed from the site We were all crying and said they would never leave their
babies along in a car, running or not. Your son was & is beautiful.
Again so sorry
Maria Rodriguez
Dear Fellow Parents,
Thank you for all of your efforts. I am a resident of Belleville, Illinois.
Recently while watching the local news I saw the story about Harrison. As a
father, I understand the preciousness of the life we create. I can't think of
the words to thank you for your caring for all children. The Harrison law is in
effect in Illinois, thank you. Every state needs to take an active role in
parental accountability. Thank You.
Dear Kids n Cars
-
Just saw your
story in the news and wanted to let you know you touched someone tonight.
We have a 2 and a
1/2 year old and until tonight, I thought it might be "OK" to leave
our son in the car when I went to go get a coffee in the morning.
Due to your
story, I will never even consider leaving our child unattended in the car again.
Not a real long story but just wanted to let you know your message hit home.
Thank you.
Chris
Thank you so much
for responding to my e-mail right away. I was able to print out the attachment
you sent me and everything went well. As this was a speech given just by
keywords on a notecard, I don't have a copy to send you. But I can say that
nearly all of the people in my class (mostly between the ages of 19 - 30 yrs)
had a story to share about either having left their child alone or witnessing a
child alone in the car. Though I did touch on the many different reasons
children should not be left unattended in a vehicle, my presentation focused on
the dangers regarding heat. Of the people who said they regularly left their
children in the car, they all said they wouldn't be doing it anymore. Most
people said they were simply unaware of the dangers involved in this practice.
I'm very glad to know that I--through the information on you're website-- was
able to open the eyes of many people. My hope is that they will share the news
with friends and family, and they will, and so on. I think what you are
accomplishing through this website is wonderful. I will be visiting the site
often to keep track of what is happening. Keep up the good fight for children
everywhere.
Sincerely,
Leah Shimizu
I am deeply sorry
for the pain you have to endure for not seeing Harrison grow. He is such a
beautiful child. I have to admit that I have left my children alone in the car.
After hearing about the twins left in the car that started on fire, I have never
left my children alone.I fell ashamed that I was endangering my most valuable
possessions. I will pass the information that I have learned today to other
parents. I heard about this website on a radio station. I hope that announcement
encourages others to visit this site. Thank you for sharing your story. I admire
the fact that you used your experience to warn others.
Best regards,
Veronica
In Dallas, TX
I was very
touched by Harrison's story. I definetely do not leave my children in cars but I
do know other parents that do. I have sent this website to everyone I know and
printed it for those who do not have computers. I am very sorry that this has
happened. May god bless the parents and all others who knew Harrison. Hopefully,
the people that I have sent this to will also be touched and learn from it as
well. Thank you so much for publishing this story. I put it in my favorites so
that I may refresh my memory every now and then. (because sometimes we forget
and begin to stray away from reality)
I have not read
everything in this website as of now, but I intend to soon.
Thanks again,
Angela Hand
I have to admit,
I have been guilty of leaving my child unattended in the car. After reading your
story, I will NEVER do it again. I will also pass the word on.
Thank you for
sharing your very painful story. God bless Harrison. His picture will forever be
ingrained in my mind. What an angel.
Trish, mom to
Michael
Chicago, IL
I found your
website accidentally and would like to help you in some way if I can. My heart
was broken after reading some of the material on your site. I am willing to help
you spread the message in my state and I am quite sure some of my friends will
also help out. Could you send me some additional information on how I can become
involved in the state of NC
The story you
have share of your son is a very painful one. And yes I myself have seen kids
(ages 1, 2, 3 years old, to make things worse Infants) left in vehicles
unattended. On several occasions I have seen the Mothers or fathers leave there
child in the car go inside the store, I live in the desert it get up to 100+
degrees in the summer time. I have stood there and waited to keep an eye on
their child and vehicle from a distance. And have told them I have that I stood
out there to keep an eye on their child. But from a distance, because I would
hate to be accused of trying to break-in to still their vehicle or of kidnapping
there child. It should be illegal to leave a child unattended in a vehicle
Nation wide.
I strongly believe that KIDS ‘N CARS purpose is just as important as product
recalls, car safety seats, airbag protection and therefore the state should
support your efforts as well. Because we as a whole will benefit from your hard
work. By making people out there aware that it is better to be several minutes
late or wasted several minutes than to mourn the life a love one for the just of
one’s life. I wish and hope that the information you have shared would be
given to new mothers and mothers with children already.
Thank you
ADOLFO HERNANDEZ
Ridgecrest, CA
I read you story
with a very heavy heart and tear-filled eyes. I am so sorry for your lose. I too
have an only child and she means the world to me. I was unable to bear children
and after 10 long years adopted my 'angel'. I applaud your courage to help
others. Your website is useful and I will pass on the information to all the
Child Passenger Safety Classes I teach.
Again, God Bless
you for your service to others.
Marsha Rozell
Riverside, CA
Thank you so much
for your website--it's very well done and informative. I have two sons, 6 and 7
years old. I am always on the lookout for people who don't care enough about
their children to provide the most basic safety.
I printed the
page "NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE" and I intend to put it on every car when
I see children unattended. Sometimes parents are just uninformed; sometimes they
are just lazy and neglectful. I am happy to have this information to share with
people.
I work at
Children's Hospital in Seattle and I will also share this information there.
Your story touched me deeply and I pray for your family and your beautiful son.
Thank you again
for offering such important information.
Rhonda
Seattle, WA
I read your email
and must say I support your initiative to prevent the many tragic consequences
of leaving a child unattended in any vehicle. My heart goes out to those who
have suffered as a result of this practice, which happens everyday, and I feel
that legislation, as well as public education on this subject is desperately
needed. I live in Independence where the Robel tragedy occurred, and still I see
people every other day leaving innocent children responsible for themselves,
something they cannot possibly be expected to do. If there is an existing
petition towards such legislation, please add my name to it, and in the
meantime, I will try to write my local representative regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
Angelina, responsible parent
Independence, MO
You're right cars
can be dangerous for kids. It's important to be careful with both kids and cars
we are driving. If someone went to the bank for a withdrawal of $1 million they
most likely would not leave it in their car to do anything like going into the
post office or grocery store. Kids are more important than anything so they also
should be brought along when the adults leave the vehicle. I know sometimes any
laws will not even keep these tragedies from happening but at the same time they
also help. If for no other reason than awareness of the dangers that are out
there.
Brent Pennell
Independence, MO
I am sorry for
your loss. I have said something to parents several times,before Jake Robel died
about leaving their children in the car alone. I watched 3 children, all under
the age of 5 in a running car one day. I told the store owner where I was at
that they could very well drive right through the store front. They found the
parent, and they left. I wish someone had
done that for you. If I hadn't said anything, many people might have died that
day as well.
My thoughts and
prayers are with you.
Love & Light
Fulton, MO
I own a retail
store and I'm amazed at the number of parents who will leave a child unattended
in a car. I worked with one woman for at least 10 minutes when she announced to
me her child was asleep in the car, mind you she not once even looked out to the
car. How can I express to these people how wrong
it is without offending them. I would love to yell at them, but I am running a
business and I don't want to lose potential customers. I did print out your
warning "Protect Our Children " and I will post it near the entrance
of my store. If you can advise me on a tactful way to let these parents know I
would be appreciative.
Sal Megna
West Caldwell, NJ
I was watching
the Extra episode that broadcast your website and your story so I decided to
check out your website. After reading the stories, I have been bawling. I have 2
young children and know this could happen at any time. Thank you for your
informative website!! I will continue to check it, tell my friends about it and
will be printing the flyers to keep in my vehicle to place on the windshield of
cars where I see children unattended. I also plan to send a donation. I am
thankful that I live in a state that does have a law against leaving children
unattended in a vehicle, however I plan to find out more info on it.
Thanks again for bringing more attention to this issue!
Thanks for your
note. I have printed off several of the flyers and am keeping them in both mine
and my husband's vehicles and will give them to my neighbors as well. I would
like to do what I can to help. I don't
have tons of time, but I can update you on incidents of children being left
unattended that I see and read about in the local newspapers. I live in the
state of Maryland where we do have a law, but from what I
read on your website, it's not what I thought it would be. It says something
about the children being "out of sight" is illegal. Your story is a
perfect example that being "in sight" still doesn't prevent
tragedies from happening. I could go in to 7-11 and be able to see my kids in
the car, and the way the law reads, that would not be against the law in
Maryland.
Also, if there is
info you need distributed and other things, I can help.
Please just contact me and let me know where I can help.
I also think that
it is important that BOTH parents, older siblings, day care providers are all on
the same page when it comes to this issue. I can see myself and my husband
knowing NEVER to leave our young children
unattended, but our teenage children who might not think about it. I think the
parent's pledge is great to have posted on the fridge, but this issue needs to
be brought to so many people's attention that we deal with every day. WOW, what
a daunting task! The more I think, the more
people I want to give copies of these flyers to for their info as well as their
distribution.
Well, I just
wanted to respond to your note. Please let me know what you need done in
Maryland and I'll see what I can do!
Sharon
Maryland
Hello! My name is
Nicole and I have a 5 month old son. I would never leave him in a car
unattended. Just recently there was a story on the news where a woman left her
sleeping toddler in a double parked, running car. She ran into a deli and a man
took off with her car. Luckily the man saw the child in the back and left the
car a few blocks away. I think that it is sad that parents
do not think what could happen. I was sitting outside of a Starbucks. A woman in
a
station wagon pulls up. I look over to see if I knew her and as she is walking
towards us I see an infant car seat in the car. I wait til she goes inside to
see if she had actually left the baby in the car. She had. The baby was smaller
than my son. And on top of that she had left a toddler in there with her. Who
cares if you lock the doors. You never know what people are capable of. She
didn't even leave any windows cracked either. Every year when the weather starts
to get a little nicer you hear of parents leaving kids it boiling hot cars. If
people would give themselves an extra 5 to 10 minutes things like this may not
happen. Thank you for taking the time to read what I have to say.
CA
Hi, saw you on
EXTRA a couple of weeks ago and just found the time to write. I think this is
fantastic what you are doing. My family was also a victim of kids left in cars.
BOTH my children were either hit or run over by a 4-ton truck almost 5 years
ago. Thankfully the angels were watching over them that day. We live on a
cul-de-sac with only 12 duplex townhouses so it’s a pretty quiet street. My
kids had a sleepover the nite before and were walking up the girl's steep
driveway to her house. My youngest daughter Chelsea was 5 at the time stopped on
the lawn near the driveway to pick up some dropped POGS when a truck came
whipping down the hill and knocked my older daughter Caitlyn who was 8 at the
time down and under the truck. Chelsea was tossed
around the wheel well. The truck then hit a small tree, mailbox, a car and
finally came to rest when it hit a house. In the truck were two kids aged two
and 5. The two year old put the truck in gear as her father was outside the
truck visiting a neighbor. The kids in the truck were unhurt. Our kids
were airlifted to UMASS med. center. Both came home the next day. Chelsea broke
her upper arm and had a muffler burn on her leg .....Caitlyn only had a gauge on
her back that later required plastic surgery.........Both kids were terrified of
parking lots and crossing the street after that. We brought them to Disney world
2 months later to help with the fear of parking lots and it worked. The owner of
the truck is a firefighter in town and was never
charged for the accident. Obviously my husband’s friend didn’t learn from
our
lesson. She was loading her car (on a hill) with the kids and went into the
house to get the older child. Sean 3 put the car in gear and it rolled down the
hill with all the doors open until it hit a stonewall and a tree. Sean was fine.
We will gladly
send you newspaper articles on our story for your database.
Thank you Pauline
& Frank Sheehan
Millbury, MA
