Responsibility

I feel compelled to comment on an incident that occurred earlier today in the Kansas City area. A three-year-old little boy was reported missing to the authorities at about 5:00 o’clock this morning. According to the news reports, he had not been seen since 9:30 last night when his mother put him to bed. When she got up this morning at about 4:45 he was not in their apartment. The child was only wearing his pajamas and no shoes or slippers and the temperatures were in the single digits with a wind-chill.

Many police officers from several departments as well as the fire department were involved in the search.  Fortunately, the young boy was found safe in a nearby apartment building at about 8:00.

It was also reported that this child had previously ran away and was found in unlocked cars in the area.

Why hadn’t his parents done something to prevent a recurrence of his leaving on his own? Maybe a door lock located higher on the door, beyond his reach even with the help of a chair? What about a lock that could only be opened with a key that the parents kept in their possession at all times. Admittedly, that would be a fire hazard, but a 3 year old child running around outside in the cold and with no adult for protection is not safe either.

I can only fathom the cost of the search. Some officers probably worked beyond their shift, which would involve overtime pay costs. Gas was burned in many patrol cars, ambulances and fire trucks.  It was extremely cold for the officers walking around looking for the boy. Yes, it is their job, but to expose anyone to such a frigid morning, when it could have been avoided, just doesn’t seem right to me.

To me, the crux of this incident is that life is fragile and should be protected. We all need to take more responsibility for our actions and for those we are entrusted with their care.  Additionally, the national, state and city financial resources are not endless.

As a society, how do we encourage and force people to take responsibility? For their actions concerning their personal safety? For their actions as a parent concerning their children’s safety?

Sincerely,

Sally S