What Would You Do?

[Baby Beluga]

My new 3.5 year old DCK that started this week was just dropped of and was riding in the front seat of her mother's car.

I mentioned it to mom in a nice way and she said DCK's current car seat broke, the seat belt in her car broke and she hasn't had time to buy a new car seat....

What would you do?

[hope]

I would call CPS right away. There is no excuse as to why she couldn't have her child in a car seat. If she needs help purchasing one then may even child services can help her with that. What if she were to get in an accident? You are a mandated reporter and that is a huge no no.

[NeedaVaca]

I would contact mom and tell her if she doesn't have a car seat at pickup today you are legally obligated to report her.

[Blackcat31]

My new 3.5 year old DCK that started this week was just dropped of and was riding in the front seat of her mother's car.

I mentioned it to mom in a nice way and she said DCK's current car seat broke, the seat belt in her car broke and she hasn't had time to buy a new car seat....

What would you do?

As a mandated reporter I HAVE to report that.

I have it written in my policies.

I would tell this DCM that if she doesn't have a correct and legal car seat at pick up, you won't be allowed to let her pick up DCB without calling 911 the second she leaves.

not having time to buy a new seat? Please....we are talking about the safety of her child. What a lame excuse.

[sharlan]

As a mandated reporter I HAVE to report that.

I have it written in my policies.

I would tell this DCM that if she doesn't have a correct and legal car seat at pick up, you won't be allowed to let her pick up DCB without calling 911 the second she leaves.

not having time to buy a new seat? Please....we are talking about the safety of her child. What a lame excuse.

If something were to happen, I'm sure it could come back on you. Let the mom know that you will report.

I don't feel that it's my responsibility to check for proper carseats, but I do tell the parents at interview time that if I see something amiss, I will notify CPS/police.

[sharlan]

My new 3.5 year old DCK that started this week was just dropped of and was riding in the front seat of her mother's car.

I mentioned it to mom in a nice way and she said DCK's current car seat broke, the seat belt in her car broke and she hasn't had time to buy a new car seat....

What would you do?

I've never known of a car seat to break, not saying it doesn't happen, I just don't have first hand experience of it. The parent needs to notify the manufacturer.

[hope]

I remember one morning I left my DD's car seat in DH's car and he went to work. I had to call her out of school rather then risk driving with out. A friend of mine couldn't afford a car seat for her new born. She borrowed on for the trip home from the hospital but had to give back. She didn't take the baby out because she was saving up for one. When friends found out we all chipped in and got her one. There is no excuse.

[AmyKidsCo]

As a mandated reporter I HAVE to report that.

I have it written in my policies.

If something were to happen, I'm sure it could come back on you. Let the mom know that you will report.

I'd report it to CPS. Not only for the safety of the child, but also for your own safety. If something were to happen the parent could sue you for knowing about the unsafe situation and not doing anything about it. I know it's crazy, but it's true.

[Baby Beluga]

This is absolutely nuts and I have a huge knot in my stomach from this. I have had nothing but trouble from this mother.

I looked up my states mandated reporter laws and if I read it correctly, if I don't report something I can receive a class 1 misdemeanor. I called the local CPST (child passenger safety technician) at the hospital down the street from me. She took the information and said she would talk with her supervisor and find out if I need to call CPS or the local baby safe hotline with the PD (we have a line where you can report children who are not properly restrained in a vehicle). What I am told from a second CPST: "Most states do not consider improper restraint in the car a CPS issue and we generally do not recommend reporting it as such. It's obviously illegal and unsafe.

I would come at it from an illegal standpoint. Mention if anything does happen to the child, she could then be prosecuted with vehicle homicide."

I am waiting to hear back from the CPST here on who I should call - CPS or the baby safe hotline. If I don't hear from the CPST by the time the children wake from nap, then I will call local PD and see what they say. Either way it will be reported.

The city I live in is the last city before no man's land. We are right on one of the biggest freeways in the state, the speed limit on the freeway is 75 mph and the one that people use to head north and out of the state. So we get a LOT of out of towners and it seems like there are always accidents. I cringe at the thought of what might happen to this little one.

The CPST also said they have resources where they can help get her a car seat or at least a booster depending on the child's size. Then at least if the child has no where but the front seat to sit, then she is restrained properly with a proper belt fit.

This mom might just be termed. The money is nice, but not the extra worry she has caused...in only 3 days!

[CraftyMom]

When I first read it I assumed she was in the front seat, but in a car seat. But NO CAR SEAT ?????

[Soccermom]

Honestly, I would just let it go unless it is something that is recurring every day.

At this age, most of us were no longer using car seats (Heck I bet a lot of us didn't even use seat belts!) My DH came home in a car bed...an actual little bassinet you just plopped onto the back seat of the car with no seat belt.

In no way am I condoning that but I am just saying that we all survived so although it is not wise, I don't consider it to be abuse.

Hopefully DCM was smart enough to turn off the airbag and DCG had on a seat belt.

[CraftyMom]

What is the law in your state regarding kids in the front seat? Would it be ok if she were in a car seat? Curious as to how many laws she was breaking

[Laurel]

I would contact mom and tell her if she doesn't have a car seat at pickup today you are legally obligated to report her.

[NeedaVaca]

Honestly, I would just let it go unless it is something that is recurring every day.

At this age, most of us were no longer using car seats (Heck I bet a lot of us didn't even use seat belts!) My DH came home in a car bed...an actual little bassinet you just plopped onto the back seat of the car with no seat belt.

In no way am I condoning that but I am just saying that we all survived so although it is not wise, I don't consider it to be abuse.

Hopefully DCM was smart enough to turn off the airbag and DCG had on a seat belt.

The laws are different now, legally the provider could be in big trouble for letting it go! Yes, I came home from the hospital in a box and my mom's old car didn't even have a seat belt in the back seat-she used her arm...doesn't mean anything now, laws changed and this provider and mom need to follow the law.

[Mister Sir Husband]

I would definitely tell her that the child can't ride without a proper restraint system in place, and personally, I would let her borrow one until she can replace it. Mom may not really understand the importance of having one, but I'd feel better knowing the child is safe.