It is fine to leave kids in a car or not? Facebook post of Mayor sparks debate

An Alaska mayor’s viral Facebook post about finding two kids alone inside a running car in a supermarket parking lot has triggered a heated debate among moms and dads.

“I am so angry right now,” Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly wrote December 20. “I just stood next to an UNLOCKED car, running with keys in the ignition with TWO little kids in the back seat. Fred Meyer parking lot. People everywhere. 10 minutes I stood there. Finally, Mom came out with Starbucks. I tried talking to her, warning her about her choice. She kept saying ‘they’re fine’ and she was angry with me. Not even a ‘thank you.’ Unreal. Do NOT leave your kids alone in a running car, especially with unlocked doors. And YES (Fairbanks police) will be calling her.”

In a follow-up comment, Matherly made it clear that the kids– one sleeping, one playing– were about 4 and 6 years old.

The post prompted hundreds of responses.

While many comments praised Martherly for watching over the children, others criticized for judging the woman.