He absolutely has to be charged with a crime because his behavior, if not out of an illness, is inexcusable. How does one forget one’s children in the car for eight hours? Where was he taking them to and why didn’t he take them there? This story makes no sense, unless he has a medical condition that leads him to forget things.
Comments stating there should be no charges due to lack of intent ignore the charge of involuntary manslaughter. Of course, one father was found guilty of deliberately killing his child this way; the question to answer is whether they had life insurance; who knows what evil lies in the hearts of persons?
A horrible tragedy. Unless there's evidence to support ill intent on the part of the parent, I don't see how prosecution and jail time are appropriate in these cases. Better that those coming up with prevention tools ('reminder' apps, special car/car seat features, etc.) keep at it than we put effort & money into further punishing a parent for a forgetful act for which they'll torture themselves their whole lives long.
3
This is so sad on many levels - harried parents going about their day with seemingly more important things on their minds than their children. I can't even imagine the pain and grief the parents' are experiencing all because of a lapse of being present and conscious in the moment. And thinking about the painful deaths these children experienced makes me cry. Criminal prosecution most likely pales compared to the punishment these parents are giving themselves. RIP babies.
5
52 children died last year because of NEGLIGENT parents! Don't make excuses for them; they took on the responsibility of parenthood, perhaps having one or more TOO many and then complaining of not being able to cope.
Trying to comprehend this. I’m sorry if this sounds like blaming the victims in this terrible tragedy but...questions pop into my mind:
If these children were left at the same daycare every day, wouldn’t the facility question what happened to them? Also - again pls forgive me- do most parents check with caregivers during the day about their kids? I’m not a parent and I realize people get very busy but I would try to check in at least once to find out how everything is. Like I do with my elderly mom....
In any case, i do hope he is not prosecuted and they can heal over time.
1
Maybe some parents call the daycare during the day. Most probably do not. And don’t expect a call unless the child is sick
1
The problem is that child car seats are in the back seat, facing the rear, making the child not visible to the driver from the front. One good suggestion is that every time you have your child in a car seat in the back, you should take off your work shoes and put them in the back seat. Meaning you will be forced to look into the back seat before you leave your car.
However, the real solution has to be some technological change that makes it impossible to leave children in the car. This could be as simple as a beeper and flashing light on the car seat when the ignition is turned off. COME ON, America, why haven't we solved this too-common problem??
9
On another topic: Is anyone joining me in celebrating the fact that Mayor Bill de Blasio probably won't be in the next debate? Someone called him the 4th moderator--who elected him to that? He's smug and condescending, and I'll be happy not to hear him sound off any more.
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My sincere sympathies to Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez. It is clear that he is a good man and loving father. To prosecute him would serve no purpose, b/c he will live the rest of his life regretting this tragic loss of his children.
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This is a horrible tragedy however could you imagine if a gun was involved the out cry for laws and regulations would be deafening background checks waiting periods the demand for prosecution, their would be sympathy for the parent.
"Anna Wintour saw “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” in Times Square. She even removed her sunglasses for the occasion."
Do we know someone with our realizing it, LOL - This almost references the lady singing in our "Lady Marmalade" parody-salute! See at 0:10 - or was everyone reading the "Moulin Rouge" reviews with fashion eyewear that needed to be removed at the show?
Brooklyn's Trump Village Theater Party visits Moulin Rouge - ("Really Gonna Earn a Wad")
https://youtu.be/-7_qBUpR1do
3
I would not have charged Rodriguez with a crime. Surely a crime involves intent. There was none. Or it involves neglect . There was none. Or it involves reckless endangerment. There was none. A prison term would not even serve as a deterrent for other fathers. This was a failure of memory, a mistake made by a man who has served both family and country for all of his adult life.
It seems as if the only reason for the arrest is that two children died, so someone should pay. I would imagine that these parents are paying dearly, as the man is trying to endure the unendurable. Our hearts go out to that family.
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Well, that woman from State Island who, having had a seizure while driving, plowed into those two women and their kids on Ninth Street and Fifth in Brooklyn a couple of years ago, was charged.
And besides being charged, Park Slopers and Bill de Blasio were crying out for her blood.
(Because she was from State Island?)
She killed herself this past year.
There are lesser punishments for accidents than for murders, of course. Except when communities start protesting. And except when perpetrators actually take their deeds to heart.
How many other drivers who have killed people commit suicide!
7
@B. - that case was very unusual; the spotlight was so incredibly strong because a very beloved Broadway actress was involved and the story and pressure could not be escaped. When then actress made her return to the stage, naturally there was attention to that.
I don't know what the answer is, but if someone with a disability is told "do not drive again - ever" because of a medical condition, should they still drive? I pretty much think they should not, but I know others aren't as clear on that.
7
Darn the spellcheck.
Does it not recognize "Staten"? And for the record, just now it changed it to "states," plural.
And it adds an apostrophe to almost all plurals and to possessive pronouns that do not have apostrophes.
3
Such tragedies should not happen in the 21st century. we have the technology for AC in cars to stay on even when we leave our cars. We have the technology for the car to sense that there are still children in their car seats and keep the AC or heat on while warning the parent or babysitter via their phone that children are still in the car.
Tesla already has the option to keep the AC or heat on after you leave your car (because it's all electric). Plus, you can remotely control the AC/heat via the Tesla phone app. As for the childseat sensors, that's a mere software update for Tesla. Other auto companies will be following suit over the next 5 years... and we will see a drastic reduction in this kind of horrific tragedy.
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