In only a few minutes, someone's life can change so much.
This story deals with a mother who inadvertantly left her young infant son in a hot van when she went to the store and forgot to take him with her because she was in a hurry.
I wrote this story because it is an issue that needs to be addressed, and here in Texas, where I live, over 10 children have died as a result of being left in an unattended vehicle on a hot day. Here in Texas, in the summer, it can get unGODly hot, and this is especially timely here.
The latest victim was a little 8-month-old infant boy in Dallas.
I look at the stricken young face of the mother in front of me, and at once, my heart feels anger towards her. Anger because she endangered her infant son's life, and now, as a result, he is lying in a crib here in the PICU, fighting for his little life.
The child's name is Jermaine Michael Dawes, and he is only 8 months old. His mother's name is Angela, and she is only 17 years old.
It is hot outside, the first time, really, it has been hot here in Nashville (for the most part, we have endured a cooler summer), and Angela Dawes had gone to the store to get a few things; but because she was running behind, she left her young son in a hot van for about an hour. As she went about her business and shopped, she lost track of the fact that she had left her son in the van until she went back to her cart, and saw that her carrier wasn't with her. Only then did she realize that something was horribly wrong.
Upon returning to the parking lot, the lady was alarmed to find people looking in her van, and was especially dismayed to find a policeman and firefighter there. The ambulance was also there, and paramedics were working on a small body, which was, in turn, her son. The baby, who was only eight months old, was extremely hot to the touch, red of the skin, and was unconscious. He was also barely breathing, and he was having what appreared to be a seizure.
The policeman began to talk to her, and it was soon apparent that she was now in trouble. She was now facing possible charges for child endangerment and neglect, and in a matter of a few moments, her world, as she once knew it, came crashing down horribly.
Now little Jermaine Michael lies in a coma, in extremely critical condition, in a crib here in the PICU, and as I monitor his vital signs, I realize that he is not doing at all well. Angela looks at me with questioning eyes, and I try to remain hopeful, but inside, my feelings towards her are guarded, and I am at once sickened at the thought of the harm she had caused her son. Because of her negligence, she endangered her son's young life, and even though he was still a baby, his life was in danger of ending even before it could really begin.
I realize that people are often in a hurry (it's our society today), but to neglect a child or put their needs before the needs of their very own children is unfathomable and totally irresponsible on their part. I am a mother myself (I have 50 special needs kids), but I make sure that my children get the love and attention they need, and I am NOT about to endanger their lives because I am "in a hurry" or because "I forgot" when I get involved in doing something. I know better, and besides, my kids matter to me, and I am NOT about to do anything to hurt them or endanger them!
No, I am NOT perfect by ANY means, but I know better to keep proper track of my kids (I have to, seeing I have so many!), and I make it a point to know where they are at at ALL times! And if I am not watching them, someone else is, be it their father, their grandparents, or an older, responsible sibling!
This way, I can prevent a tragedy like the one involving young Jermaine Michael Dawes from happening in MY family!
When I look at the young African-American infant lying helplessly in the hospital crib, hooked up to tubes and seemingly lifeless, my heart is stabbed, because this year over 30 children have died on account of being left in cars or vans when it is hot out; and people don't realize just how hot the inside of a vehicle can get in an hour or even a half hour. Very young children's bodies don't handle extreme heat very well, and in a half hour, the inside of a vehicle's temperature can climb quickly, and can go as high as 130 degrees--or possibly even higher.
This is why you don't leave very young children or animals in an unattended vehicle because they can die from suffocation or heatstroke; and it is a tragedy that could have very easily been prevented had a person used good judgement. When these children or animals die in this manner, the death is horrible and very painful.
It is only a case of common sense and knowledge, and too many children's lives could have otherwise been saved had people been more responsible and not be so wrapped up in their own personal affairs.
Such was the case of young Jermaine Michael Dawes. Because of his mother's actions, his life now hangs in the balance, and things do not look good for him.
This story tares me to pieces.. Ty for sharing a message that needs to be ehard here...
God Bless
~Michelle~
Reviewed by Robert Blackwell
8/26/2003
We've had these deaths happen in Ohio, too, and it always gets me seeing the parents bemoan their impatience or forgetfulness...or thoughtlessness ("I thought he/she would be okay; I just went in for a minute.").
Oh this is serious Karen...How on earh could you forget about your child...good Lord this person is not a mother she is a monster...they must put her in that van until she realizes what stupidity means!!
This flipped me out...sorry!!
After reading Andy's write!!
I am highly upset...sorry!!
Thanks for sharing this very importent and needed message Karen!!
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