INDIANA – A truck was stolen in Indianapolis outside a gas station with a 9-year-old child alone in the back seat on Saturday, Feb. 19. The child was found safe and unharmed.
Contrary to what many believe, this is not a rare occurrence. Already this year, Kids and Car Safety has documented 39 children who were taken in a vehicle that was stolen.
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.
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. Children and pets should never be left alone inside of a vehicle, not even for a minute. It only takes a few seconds for a car thief to jump into a vehicle and be gone.
Tips for parents:
1. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, not even for a minute.
2. Utilize drive-thru or carry out services that don’t require you to leave your vehicle for pickup
3. 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.
4. Keep car doors locked any time you’re sitting inside a parked car.
