Should she be charged?

[Faevantastic]

Is it possible for a three year old to unlock the door and go outside himself?  Scary!  If the woman was telling the truth, it sucks that she's being charged.

Middletown Police: 3-Year-Old Was Wet, In Street At 2:30 A.M.



COURTESY OF MIDDLETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Rebecca Quinn was charged with risk of injury, according to Middletown police.
By CHRISTINE DEMPSEY, [e-mail]
10:37 am, August 28, 2013

MIDDLETOWN — The woman responsible for a 3-year-old who was found in the street about 2:30 in the morning was charged with risk of injury, police said.

Rebecca A. Quinn, 29, of Grove Street was arrested Tuesday and released on a promise to appear in Superior Court Sept. 6.

According to police, a neighbor called police shortly before 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when she came across a 3-year-old in the street during a driving rain.

When officers arrived, the boy was sitting in the neighbor's car, wearing a wet T-shirt and pull-up style diapers but no pants, police said. He was wet and the tips of his fingers were wrinkled.

An officer found an open front door at Quinn's home, about 200 yards from where the boy was found, but got no response when he knocked and announced his presence, they said. Officers went into the house and found Quinn, who was sleeping, her boyfriend and Quinn's 11-month-old girl.

Quinn told them she was babysitting the boy and was not aware that he had left the home, police said. She was upset when she learned that he was found outside, they said. Both she and her boyfriend were sober, and the home appeared to be well-kept.

She had last checked on the boy about midnight, when he was asleep in a bedroom, she told police. The front door had been locked, she said.

Police described Quinn as the boy's primary caretaker.

The boy, who had been transported to Middlesex Hospital, was found to be in good condition, police said.

[dixeedeluxe]

Edie can reach and operate the deadbolts in our house.

Confesh, there are hook-and-eye locks on the outside of both girls rooms that get locked at night.

[carawestt]

I think it's very possible! My 3 year old nephew can open the front and back door by himself. She shouldn't be charged.

[silverjm]

I would imagine there are a lot of 3 year olds that can figure out how to unlock and open doors.

[charlielove]

We had one of those child proof door covers on the front door knob for a long time to prevent this from happening, even though Claire never attempted.

[katfco]

It is absolutely possible; that's one reason we had a baby gate keeping Abby upstairs long after she was able to negotiate the stairs on her own. You just never know.

Caleb can already reach the door handle, although it's too hard for him to turn it.

[laurack]

Yes I think a three year old could unlock a door. And having only an 11 month old herself I can imagine her not realizing that this could happen with a three year old/not being familiar with this child's night time habits.

[biblionerd]

Linus can unlock and open any type door, so we have child proof door knob covers on all exterior doors and the inside of his bedroom. I have a feeling he's going to figure out that soon.

[Deleted]

I'm surprised she was charged, especially since everything seemed in order and the child wasn't hurt. I can for sure understand a 3 year old getting out of the house.

[jfh]

Oh, that's so sad! I'm sure it's possible.

[joyhart02]

Lydia has started to be able to unlock doors, I think this is possible. That is sad that she is being charged.

[nilex0102]

Nick was able to open the front door at that age.

[fusion]

Jameson can unlock and open doors, even with the child door covers, and he isn't three yet. We lock him into his room at night. He sleeps through and doesn't try to get out, but I don't want a situation like this ever happening.

[livinreality]

Aug 28, 2013 15:01:15 GMT -5 dixeedeluxe said:

Edie can reach and operate the deadbolts in our house.

Yep both the doorknob and deadbolt can be unlocked by the 3 year old. We have strict rules about when he is allowed to unlock the door, and he is never to touch the deadbolt although he is able.  

Makes me want to get a chain for the top of the door just incase he decides the rules don't apply...

[kkfeb04]

A 3 year old can absolutely open a door. Kalvin knows how to unlock the double deadbolt that needs keys to unlock. He figured this out before his birthday, hell maybe 2.5. We have our keys out of reach but when your kid is almost 3.5" and a climber, no place is safe. The kid can reach the top of the fireplace mantel.

My saving grace, he likes to stay with us and he's a rule follower so if the baby gates are closed he isn't opening them. He also hasn't quite figured out the screen door locks.

She shouldn't be charged. He probably woke up, looked around realized he wasn't home and went to find home. He was lost and confused. I don't blame her for not having the house "toddler proofed" especially if her little one isn't walking. Hell we only got a baby gate at the top of the stairs when Kalvin turned 2. He was in a twin bed at 22 months. I told you, rule follower, didn't leave the bed until we got him.