March
7, 2023 - A vehicle was stolen in Harris County, TX with a 4-year-0ld
child alone inside on Monday (3/6). According to news reports, the child
was alone and unattended when the car was stolen by two suspects.
This is the third car stolen with a child alone inside in Texas this year according to data documented by Kids and Car Safety.
Contrary to what many believe, this is not a rare occurrence. Already this year, Kids and Car Safety has documented 51 children who were left alone in a vehicle that was then stolen. Every year we see an increase in these cases as the temperatures get cooler.
Although
the victims of these types of incidents typically survive, it is
incredibly traumatizing for everyone involved. Incidents like this are
very easily avoidable by never leaving a child alone in a vehicle.
Car Theft Video PSA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-wdJDoykYA&list=PLiTMO4amBVbJwmPgEjDRRTkqBNuJmYAeD&index=24
Thieves
watch for vehicles to be left unattended with the keys inside. Most of
the time, they don’t realize that there is a child inside until after
they have already stolen the vehicle.
Car
thefts happen even in the safest neighborhoods. It only takes a few
seconds for a car thief to jump into a vehicle and be gone.
Tips for parents:
1. Never leave a child of any age or pet alone in a vehicle, not even for a minute.
2. Use drive-thrus or curbside pickup so you don't have to leave your vehicle.
3.
If a business doesn't offer curbside delivery, call upon arrival and
ask them to bring your order to your car. Most people are more than
happy to accommodate you when you tell them you have small children. It
takes a village!
4. Keep car doors locked and keys on your person when pumping gas with children inside the vehicle.
For more information on the dangers children face when left alone in vehicles visit our website.
