Natalie Thomas: Are You a Rachael or a Martha?
Two year old left at Chuck E. Cheese, family doesn't notice for 2 days
Filed under: Toddlers Preschoolers, Relatives, Activities: Babies, Places To Go, In The News, Weird But True
As a parent, I've made my share of embarrassing goofs. I've forgotten it was a half-day of school, been late picking up the kids, failed to notify the tooth fairy that we needed to be added to the route.
However, I'm positive if any of kids were missing, I'd notice within less than forty-eight hours.
A Texas family accidentally left a two-year-old girl at Chuck E Cheese and police weren't notified she was missing until her father saw her picture in a news report two days later. According to the father, his sisters took the toddler to a birthday party at the pizza place and because the little girl frequently stayed over at her aunts houses, the father had no idea the child wasn't with relatives.
It is scarily easy to assume someone else is watching a kid and have them assume YOU are. We're always freakishly listy when it comes to the boys, checking and double checking out loud who is picking up this one and dropping off the other and where the rest will be.
I bet this family is from now on too.
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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 23)
1-10-2008 @ 3:27PM
atoniolittleton said...From what I've observed people actually take their kids to Chuck E. Cheese simply to dump them off and not have to be bothered with them for awhile. I am surprised at the number of very young kids running around that place alone while the parents or adult care takers sit and eat. It's shocking that more kids are taken from that place. It's not like the people standing near the door actually check that little mark they put on your hand.
These parents didn't know where the girl was because they probably didn't want to know for awhile. Darn shame.
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1-10-2008 @ 6:19PM
Hugh said...This was so stupid it doesn't even justify a comment. Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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1-10-2008 @ 3:30PM
Ronni said...And you need a license to have a dog.....
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1-10-2008 @ 3:31PM
Malissa said...Now I HAVE walked my purse out to the car in the driveway with the intent of going back in to grab my daughter, instead gotten in , started the car and (WHOAAAA..WAIT A MINUTE!!! THE CHILD!!! SH*T!!!!) I didn't even make it to the gearshift of the car before it dawned on me. I felt like Julia Roberts must have felt in that movie "Something to talk about" I get out and there's my poor little girl on the step holding her yellow carebear (a.k.a. Sunny) giving me this look like "MOM!!! HAVE YOU LOST IT???" But anyway...For 2 days!!!! Jeeze!!
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1-10-2008 @ 3:34PM
Brenda said...So...Chuck-E-Cheese is open 24 hours...7 days a week??!! Shame on the parents!
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1-10-2008 @ 3:45PM
M said...Haha, this is totally possible. If they thought the aunt was taking the kid for two days, which happens ALOT. You assume she'll call when she will be dropping her off. You're just happy the kid ESPECIALLY at 2, is out of the house and you have some peace.
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1-10-2008 @ 3:49PM
thepugpieper said...See what happens when siblings marry? They create sets of idiots that only lower the human race!
Too bad there aren't tighter restrictions on having children, yet buying a beer is more regulated.
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1-10-2008 @ 3:37PM
Jean said...This is absolutely un-forgivable ! Any parent with any sense at all would know where their child is at all times!
Drugs or Alcohol may have also been involved here. Either could impare one to the point that they were totally knocked out. That would be the only viable excuse for not knowing where a child is at any time! For both parents to be totally knocked out, that is!
the authorities should investigate this family and remove this little child to a loving and caring home. Bet they have a house full of children hanging out every crevice in the house! Authorities must check this out to make this child safe!
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1-10-2008 @ 3:38PM
fmj said...IT TAKES A VILLAGE
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1-10-2008 @ 3:44PM
dnshampton said...How stupid can parents get nowadays! What a lame excuse. I could never imagine not knowing were my son. That's some good @#%! she was smoking to be that freakin stupid.
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1-10-2008 @ 3:39PM
Sandy said...Like I've said many times...people should have to pass a test now to procreate.
The rest of us would definitely benefit.
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1-10-2008 @ 3:40PM
Linda said...I certainly agree the parents should not have ASSUMED their 2 year old was with relatives. I'd have verifed the same afternoon that the aunt indeed had my child.
On the other hand, I'm sure they feel devestated, and greatful their child is safe, and I'm sure they will pay the consequences. However, remember that Jesus stayed behind at the temple in Jerusalem (of course he was 12, but sill YOUNG) and it was THREE DAYS before Joseph and Mary figured out HE WAS NOT WITH HIS RELATIVES AS THEY HAD ASSUMED. Not making excuses, just not trying to judge. I'm more thankful the child is safe.
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1-10-2008 @ 3:41PM
Chris said...The parents said "they thought the kid was with her Aunt"! I'd say that's explanation enough. As for those of you who constantly call and check on your kids while they are being watched by someone else (unless the kid is sick of course) get over it....stay home... keep your kid with you....and stop bothering whomever the babysitter is
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1-10-2008 @ 3:57PM
lisa said...obviously not a parent eh chris...it is irresponsible at best to not check on your children daily...phone or no phone...we call because duh we actually care about our children...so you get over it....and maybe have 2 or 3 children before you make such an ignorant remark...in this day and age you must know where your children are....and who they are with...anything less is neglect
1-10-2008 @ 3:41PM
karen said...SOMEONE CALL CHILD SERVICES ON THIS FAMILY----ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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1-10-2008 @ 4:06PM
lizzie said...They may not have a house phone, but i bet you everyone of the family members has a freaking cellie in their pocket. NO excuse at all! at chucky cheese my eyes are freaking peeled on my daughter at all times... i just dont go back there and sit w/my pizza and beer, and when my nieces are with me its on triple time, my sister would kick my butt if i forgot her babies...lol xo ciao
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1-10-2008 @ 4:23PM
Blanche said...Where is the mom?
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1-10-2008 @ 3:47PM
saltnpeppa said...why does the little girl stay at other relatives for days on end?? that doesnt sound right either. i can see over night here and then but the story sounds like shes at her relatives house more than shes at home. and the parent or parentS dont seem to care enough to call and say goodnight or to check on her?? stupid dumbass people!
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1-10-2008 @ 3:48PM
Sarah said...I just don't understand why people would even become parents if they don't spend time with their children. What kind of people are their kids going to turn out to be, when these poor children are so easily sent off to be raised by a giant mouse!
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1-10-2008 @ 3:51PM
S said...Ok - I've never commented on here before but I recall probably about 8 years ago or so when my kids still were still at the age they would want to go to chuck e cheese --- I remember being stamped a number and everyone else in the party that you were with -- that stamp only showed up under a certain light when you left the place. They wouldn't let anyone leave unless the whole party was together. So - unless chuck e cheese has changed their policies-- they are partly to blame as well.
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