Children's car safety organizations are urging people not to leave children alone in cars this holiday season after nearly a dozen cars were stolen with children left inside them on Thanksgiving Day. Parents are being warned.
According to Kids and Car Safety, an organization that compiles data on car thefts where only children were left in the car, there were 11 similar incidents during the Thanksgiving period, in which 17 children under the age of 14 were killed. It is said that he suffered damage. So far this year, 107 children have been left unattended in cars and then stolen. Data documented by the group also compiles data on child fatalities in vehicles.
Although most victims are eventually reunited with their families, the trauma of these events can be devastating, leaving children and families with psychological scars and placing significant demands on law enforcement. said Janet Fennell, president of Kids and Car Safety.
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Sadly, she said there have been two incidents this year resulting in fatalities when parents tried to stop car thieves who had taken their children without their knowledge.
“As the weather gets colder, we see a spike in car thefts where children are left unattended in the car,” Fennell said. “This is an important time to raise awareness. Parents and caregivers need to understand how quickly these avoidable tragedies can happen. Together, we can prevent these avoidable situations and prevent them from happening. You can protect your loved ones.”
Fennell said the number of cars stolen with children left inside has steadily increased since the group first started tracking the numbers in 2012, with 68 vehicles stolen by the group. The theft was recorded.
That number then peaked at 265 in 2022 and fell to 162 in 2023, the group said.
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Three separate incidents occurred in New York City over Thanksgiving. In one case in California, a car with three children inside was stolen.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, on Dec. 2, a vehicle was reported stolen with a 4-month-old and a 5-month-old child in the back seat.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, on Dec. 2, a vehicle was reported stolen with a 4-month-old and a 5-month-old baby in the back seat. (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department)
Even in the safest areas, car theft can occur in seconds, especially if the car is left running or unlocked, Kids & Car Safety says.
Most incidents occur at convenience stores, residential driveways, and other locations where thieves know it's safe to temporarily leave their cars.
Many thieves do not realize there is a child in the car until the car is taken, making the danger even worse. In these cases, the group said, children are often thrown on the side of the road, chased at high speeds, triggered by Amber Alerts or involved in crashes.
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child sits in car seat (Children and car safety)
Child and Auto Safety states that children should never be left alone in a car, even for a moment. The organization also advises parents to use drive-thru and curbside pickup services whenever possible, and to call ahead for help before going to a store. They point out that they are happy to accommodate families with children.
The group also advises parents to lock their car doors and keep the keys with them when filling up their cars with children.
“These simple steps can save lives and keep the holiday season safe and fun,” Fennell said.
