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Police Respond to Abandoned Child in Trader Joe's Garage

Charges could be pending for child's mother.

A 1-year-old girl was left unattended in an unlocked car in the Old Town Trader Joe’s parking garage for about 30 minutes on Saturday before Alexandria police found the baby’s mother.

A Trader Joe’s employee contacted the store manager after noticing the child alone in a station wagon sitting in a car seat around noon. The manager then contacted the police, who quickly arrived on the scene with an EMS crew.

A police spokesperson said the child was quickly reunited with her mother, described as a 40-year-old Hispanic non-city resident, after police arrived on the scene.

Charges could be pending after police consult with the Commonwealth Attorney’s office on Monday, the police spokesperson said.

Thomas November 3, 2012 at 09:18 pm
Umm, unharmed, in mild weather, in a sheltered garage while the mother grabbed some groceries.
What's the problem?
doug redman November 3, 2012 at 09:45 pm
I really hope you're just being facetious.
Thomas November 3, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Not at all. What's the problem? Are we all supposed to default to "the world is only populated by pedophiles and murderers"?
I know that all of my friends and family have done likewise on multiple occassions. Now we're supposed to demonize the "dark skinned" people who do exactly what us light skinned people do? I know dozens of rich, white Old Town/ Rosemont moms who do the same. Where's the outrage? Better yet, wheres the outrage about moms and dads leaving sleeping kids at home while they pick up another child at school? I can't tell you how many times my wife has reported a mother or father of 3 picking up a kid at school when its damn clear that the others are napping ALONE at home.
Anne November 4, 2012 at 12:23 am
Sorry, I meant why is the woman's race relevant? We don't know if she was the child's mother.
Vicki November 4, 2012 at 01:11 pm
An important piece of info in the article was that the car was unlocked. That put the child at risk of getting taken or getting out on her own. Also, the article makes clear that the person who left her in the car was her mother.
Tincup November 4, 2012 at 01:40 pm
Thomas you are an idiot. Nobody I know leaves a one year old in unattended in car for over 30 min, it's irresponsible and dangerous no matter what race you are.
Since everybody you know does it, why is your wife calling the police on the neighbor when you think she leaving her kids at home alone.
Mindy November 4, 2012 at 02:01 pm
"Hispanic, non-city resident". Unclear to me how that's relevant and arguably only encourages your readers to reinforce (or create) stereotypes. Perhaps it's meant to make us feel better or more safe that it wasn't "one of us"?
Vicki November 4, 2012 at 02:28 pm
Why aren't more commenters pleased that what could have been a tragic situation was dealt with quickly? We should be grateful that the Trader Joe's staff were observant and acted quickly, as did the police. Can we lose the "pounce" mentality and quit behaving like every article is an invitation to trot out our snark? A bad situation was resolved. That's the news here.
Drew Hansen (Editor) November 4, 2012 at 02:34 pm
Thanks for the note. I understand your concerns. Just passing on the information the police gave me. That's all.
Thomas November 4, 2012 at 03:13 pm
You can drop the name calling tincup, lest you want to be banned. You can also brush up on your reading comprehension skills. My wife has "reported" the info to me. As in, relayed, explained, told, passed on, etc. The police have never been notified. I know it might come as a shocker to someone with such a compromised intellect, but many words have many meanings.
Joe November 4, 2012 at 04:26 pm
I like how Thomas threatens to have tincup banned for using the word "idiot", yet in his last sentence accuses tincup of having a "compromised intellect". I love hypocrites. (actually, I don't - I think they have compromised intellects).
Thomas November 4, 2012 at 07:06 pm
I love how Joe and tincup have the same IP. Too dumb to change it huh?
Joe November 4, 2012 at 07:45 pm
Ha, Thanks nerd - not sure what IP means, but I don't know you or Tincup - was waiting in a line for brunch and thought I'd entertain myself by replying to your lame post - was hoping for a witty response - but seeing how response was less than impressive, this is the first and probably last time I'll venture onto this message board. Have fun spending the afternoon reading comics in your mom's basement.
Amaryllis November 4, 2012 at 10:11 pm
I wouldn't leave my pet unattended in a car. It's amazing what people will do to a defenseless child.
Amaryllis November 4, 2012 at 10:13 pm
The fact that you shouldn't leave children alone at home has nothing to do with the fact that you also shouldn't leave them unattended in a car.
ROBERT November 5, 2012 at 12:35 am
"this is the first and probably last time I'll venture onto this message board"
Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
Joe November 5, 2012 at 01:41 am
Good one. Almost as witty as Thomas.
Drew Hansen (Editor) November 5, 2012 at 01:43 am
I'm suspending comments on this article because the conversation is no longer productive. Questions or concerns? Email them to me at drewh@patch.com.

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Virginia Law May 27, 2013 at 12:16 am
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Leslie Hagan April 19, 2013 at 06:20 pm
You did a wonderful job Susan. ACPS was lucky to have you.
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lynnhampton April 21, 2013 at 12:10 pm
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Lewis April 18, 2013 at 06:36 pm
Well put, and I'll join you in contributing a few books.
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James Dunning April 13, 2013 at 04:34 am
David, So the moral of the story is that the next time you and your boyfriend are randomly walkingRead More around a dog park scared and confused about dogs (without dogs of your own) one should have a cell phone? I am so confused. You and you partner enjoy wandering around dog parks, without dogs of your own, and without a mobile phone. What else is missing in this relationship, condoms? For the sole purpose of whining on this forum? Can I get your job by chance? You seem to be low work output, sounds like a fed employee.
Leslie Hagan April 13, 2013 at 05:00 am
Mr. Dunning, My husband died six months ago.
Drew Hansen (Editor) April 13, 2013 at 01:13 pm
I'm closing comments on this thread. If you have any questions, email me at drewh[at]patch.com.