Olganett Perea-Agron, goes shopping but leaves her toddler son in SUV.

[Sister Iroz]

Police arrested a 26-year-old Elgin woman Wednesday on allegations she left her toddler son alone in a running car while she was shopping.

Olganett Perea-Agron, 26, of the 400 block of Standish Street, was charged with endangering the life or health of a child after police were called to check on the boy, almost three years old, at a store parking lot in the 300 block of South Randall Road.

Another shopper called police Wednesday afternoon after spotting the boy alone in a car seat in an SUV, reports indicate. The vehicle's engine was running and all of its doors were locked, police said.

A short time later a woman identified as Perea-Agron appeared and told police the child was her son and that she was in the store for only five minutes.

The boy was taken to Provena St. Joseph Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a throat infection, police said. He was later released to his father.

Perea-Agron posted a $100 bond and was released with a Feb. 19 court date at Elgin Branch Court. The charge against her is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2.500 fine.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=266481&src=5



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[Dakota Valkyrie]

A short time later a woman identified as Perea-Agron appeared and told police the child was her son and that she was in the store for only five minutes.

Wow! They must have supersonic cops there! From call to police to mom showing up is 5 minutes.

Even if nothing else happened, just the idea of a kid alone in a running car brings up horrible possibilities. A child that age is capable of escaping any car seat.

[sanityslipping]

I have to admit, I have done this, using the autostart to keep the car running, and locking the doors, leaving the little one all warm and sleeping in the car.
However, it was really really cold outside, and I had to go in to pay for gas, since the card swiper thingie on the pump wasn't working. I moved my car so that it was right by the door, and I kept my eye on it the whole time, it was always in my view. I was a nervous wreck that somebody might try to steal my car, or my baby. I'm the paranoid type tho. I was surprised that when I got back in, the same song was playing on the radio, it felt like so much longer. Nothing happened, thank god, no body else even pulled up to the gas station. But, alas, I am guilty of leaving my child in the car.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

SS, I don't count that. We don't even have a law against it here (unless the doors are unlocked). It is no different than stepping out to pump the gas. It's when the car leaves your sight, the doors are unlocked, or you shop in the store, it becomes a whole different animal.

It's not a wise thing to do but in bitter weather it is probably better. I've done it, too. I've even waited for a parking spot so I could have the one by the door. And I was scared shitless the whole time, legal or not.

[Kimberix]

I have to admit, I have done this, using the autostart to keep the car running, and locking the doors, leaving the little one all warm and sleeping in the car.
However, it was really really cold outside, and I had to go in to pay for gas, since the card swiper thingie on the pump wasn't working. I moved my car so that it was right by the door, and I kept my eye on it the whole time, it was always in my view. I was a nervous wreck that somebody might try to steal my car, or my baby. I'm the paranoid type tho. I was surprised that when I got back in, the same song was playing on the radio, it felt like so much longer. Nothing happened, thank god, no body else even pulled up to the gas station. But, alas, I am guilty of leaving my child in the car.

Your not the only one...I too have had to leave my kids in the car before to pay for gas....told my daughter not to open the door for anyone or anything.

[Silvahalo]

I have to admit, I have done this, using the autostart to keep the car running, and locking the doors, leaving the little one all warm and sleeping in the car.
However, it was really really cold outside, and I had to go in to pay for gas, since the card swiper thingie on the pump wasn't working. I moved my car so that it was right by the door, and I kept my eye on it the whole time, it was always in my view. I was a nervous wreck that somebody might try to steal my car, or my baby. I'm the paranoid type tho. I was surprised that when I got back in, the same song was playing on the radio, it felt like so much longer. Nothing happened, thank god, no body else even pulled up to the gas station. But, alas, I am guilty of leaving my child in the car.

Now that we are confessing...good for you SS for being so upfront and honest.

I don't think what you did was wrong. Like Dakota said, at all times you have the car in sight at a very short distance. When I drop a box to mail at the maiboxetc, place, I park my care right in front only feet from the door. I run in and drop it of to mail, ready to go. It takes only moments and damns sure, my eyes never leave the car. I can tell you if my husband knew, he would not be happy. But, then again, he has NEVER taken both children with him to do errands. I might be heckled for doing this, but in the situation I think it is not the same, given the extremely short time and that at all times have my car insight....damn, I still feel guilty.

I am very glad to read the little one was O.K....stupid mom.

[sanityslipping]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

[Spitfire77]

Nope, not the only one. I do the same thing when I'm running in to pay for gas. Or if my neighbor is unavailable to watch the kids while I run to pick up a gallon of milk from the grocery store, I'll load up the kids, head to the convenience store right down the street, park by the door, lock them in with the heat on, and buy it. Took all of about 45 seconds, but I still felt like a horrible mother both times.

[theskyisfalling]

I do the same thing when I have to run in for no longer than two minutes. The car is always parked in front of the store where I can see my children and I never take my eyes off of them. The whole front of our convenience store is glass otherwise I'd lug em' in with me.

[TheLittleFriend]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

I do sometimes when I forgot something in the house. I take keys with me, lock the car....run in the house like escaped mental patient. Then come back and say, "Good! They're ok." If I have to go in store for just a minute or go get mail from PO office, I always take them with me. Carrying the baby carrier is a pain in ass! But I have to.