Is it illegal to leave a child in a car?
Is it illegal to leave a child in a car?
Below is one of the common questions many clients have when they first contact Zimmet & Zimmet. The answer may address many initial concerns you may have. If you don’t find the answer here, or simply want more information, you should contact us for answers to your specific questions. Our initial consultation is free of charge.
A:Most likely, but it depends. We have received this question frequently lately as a result of news stories on the topic.
One Florida man was charged with felony child neglect for leaving his 5-year-old son in a locked vehicle with the windows rolled up in 90 degree weather for about an hour while he shopped at Wal-Mart. Another boy died on what was to be his mother’s wedding day after she left him in her car for three hours while she was in a nail salon.
Leaving a child alone and unsupervised in a car will often be considered criminal child abuse. However, if you put your child in her car seat with the windows rolled down while you water your shrubs for a while, that begins to look a lot less like child abuse.
Contact Zimmet & Zimmet Law Firm today, for further questions and concerns on this matter.
