The store I work at has done the same thing as the McDonalds management before when someone dropped their kid off to play in the toy department while they went to have their nails done. If you have something you need to have done and can't take the kids, then you get a babysitter. Retail/food service workers are NOT babysitters.
The 10 year old is iffy. I could see a short length of time, but an hour and a half? The 5 year old should not have been left alone at all. And both kids, especially the 10 year old, should have known their address and phone number.
As for criminal record for it? Absolutely. She left her children unattended for an hour and a half, and according to the kid in the story, it's not the first time.
A 10-year-old that doesn't even know its home number or address? That sounds fishy.
Sorry, but this woman was irresponsible. It's her job to watch her children; she's the parent, even if it's inconvenient for her. Tough break. She should definitely be charged. Child endangerment is a big problem, and shouldn't be let go with a slap on the wrist.
Agreed w/everyone else. Just b/c other people do something doesn't make it okay. My husband is a librarian & he couldn't stand people dropping off their kids at a branch he used to work at. The management there would wait over 15 minutes after the branch closed for parents to pick them up. Some were over 10, I might add
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A 10 year old should usually be OK at such a place by himself, although using the playland without buying something would be wrong. The 5 year old is too young without a sibling who is 12 or so.
If it were my kids I wouldn't be worried about them being grabbed by a stranger since the odds are pretty low, but I would be more concerned that they would annoy the customers and staff.
I wouldn't involve the police the first time, but I'd give the mom a warning. I think the it should only be a misdemeanor at least for the first offense.
I cannot blame the McDonald's manager for protecting his store. If one of those children had somehow gotten hurt or, God forbid, taken, the woman would not have hesitated to sue them out of existence.
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The 10 year old is iffy. I could see a short length of time, but an hour and a half? The 5 year old should not have been left alone at all. And both kids, especially the 10 year old, should have known their address and phone number.
As for criminal record for it? Absolutely. She left her children unattended for an hour and a half, and according to the kid in the story, it's not the first time.
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though i fully agree that they should know it's okay to give them to the police officer.
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It still leaves the point that a fast food place or store is not a babysitter, and she shouldn't have left them there.
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Sorry, but this woman was irresponsible. It's her job to watch her children; she's the parent, even if it's inconvenient for her. Tough break. She should definitely be charged. Child endangerment is a big problem, and shouldn't be let go with a slap on the wrist.
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If it were my kids I wouldn't be worried about them being grabbed by a stranger since the odds are pretty low, but I would be more concerned that they would annoy the customers and staff.
I wouldn't involve the police the first time, but I'd give the mom a warning.
I think the it should only be a misdemeanor at least for the first offense.
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