Child safety in the hands of grown-ups

The news of children dying of possible hyperthermia after being left in locked cars has shocked people. But is the act of locking children in cars a crime or just a negligent behavior? The answer would depend on the person responsible.

According to media reports, from 2006 to 2015, eight children died after being left unattended in kindergarten community vans. In all the cases, the kindergarten principal, teacher on duty or the driver was charged with negligent homicide, for which a person can be sentenced to three to seven years in prison. In such cases there is no dispute over the mode of settlement.

However, when a parent locks his/her child in a car, the case becomes different. So far, no parent has faced investigation or charges, because every parent loves his/her child and suffers the most on losing it. Also, losing a child is already heartbreaking for a parent and if he/she were charged with criminal neglect, it would make life difficult for the other spouse and the other children (if there are any) in the family.