A Scary Time in the Neighborhood

What a horrific time it is to be a parent. A mother in Indianapolis took a nap, and her two year old son wandered downstairs, outside, and onto a highway. Now she is charged with four felony counts of neglect. Not knowing this woman, this could be a valid charge or a simple case of "accidents happen".

This is a scary age to be a parent. Forty years ago, if a child fell off a jungle gym and broke an arm, it was because the child slipped, was clumsy, or maybe wasn't quite strong enough. Twenty years ago, the owner or builder of the jungle gym (or both) was at fault and sued. Today, it's the fault of whomever is present, including a parent, who in every other manner may be the ideal caregiver. We're now teaching children at the youngest ages that their actions have no repercussions, that someone else can always be held accountable.

This being said, a two year old can hardly be expected to remember not to cross the street, but could be physically capable of unlocking a door, which is scary enough in itself.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/01/03/highway.toddler.ap/index.html