INDIANA – Last year, Kids and Car Safety documented at least 264 children who were left alone in a vehicle that was then stolen with them alone in the back seat.
Contrary to what many might believe, children taken during a car theft are not a rare occurrence. And, it happens in even the safest of neighborhoods. Cars are often stolen from gas stations and convenience store parking lots as well as from home driveways.
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.
What usually happens next is the children are abandoned on the side of the road or inside the stolen vehicle.
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.
A vehicle was stolen in Terre Haute, IN with an infant alone inside on Wednesday, Jan. 18. According to news reports, Trey Blaine allegedly stole the car from the Phillips 66 gas station at 1560 North 25th Street.Â
Tips for parents:
- Never leave a child of any age or pet alone in a vehicle, not even for a minute.
- Use drive-thru or curbside pickup so you don’t have to leave your vehicle.
- 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!
- Keep car doors locked and keys on you when pumping gas with children inside the vehicle.
For more information on the dangers children face when left alone in vehicles visit this website.
