What would drive a parent to ditch their kid in plain sight?
Vivian Manning-Schaffel: Anyone cruising this site has gathered that parenting can be extremely stressful. And with the economy as it is, raising a child in New York City is an experience chock-full of unique stresses. For example, food is incredibly expensive, and we all live right on top of each other. Some of us raise families in apartments so small there are no doors to close or quiet to be had when you need to count to ten and gather yourself.
But sometimes, grown-ups snap and act out in extremes. According to this piece in yesterday's New York Post, a bickering couple got out of a car and stuck their 18-month-old daughter in a stroller, as if they were going to take a walk. But they got back in the car, left the poor thing right there on the street, and sped off!
Luckily, a bunch of witnesses looked after the kid and called 911. The baby got checked out at a local hospital, and she's in good shape. And the cops eventually busted and grilled the parents.
What drove this couple to subject this helpless little mama to the infinite tragedies that could've happened had the wrong person seen this go down? Judging by the fact that they left her in a wealthy neighborhood (the Upper East Side is known for major moolah) with unopened toys and diapers, the whole thing seems somewhat planned and tinged with guilt. Maybe they panicked that they couldn't give her the type of life they'd wanted to? Or are they impulsive, irresponsible idiots who gave into a whim that could've had potentially lethal consequences for their young daughter?
Personally, I think if a parent goes this far once, they may very well go farther the next time. And no innocent babe should be subjected to that risk.
Do you guys think this couple was under duress and should get another shot at raising her? Or should another family member or maybe even family services take over?
 | Vivian Manning-Schaffel has written for Babble, Parenting, The Advocate, The New York Post, Business Week and a variety of other publications and lives and works in the heart of breeder Brooklyn with her husband and two kids. She authors two pop culture blogs: The Mad Mom and A Hag Supreme, and is on the web at vivianmanningschaffel.com. |
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