Is this a joke? Only leaving a child in for 5 minutes is OKAY??! Please, someone tell me this person is writing this tongue in cheek...please??!

Well, no, it's not a joke. So far my daughter has survived unscathed. I don't even think she broke a sweat. I parked in the shade. I locked the doors.
I don't think I've committed this 'crime' since it became grounds for jail time, though.

I am absolutely floored by the amount of truly stupid and moronic people who have responded thus far.

Forget about the heat in the car; what about the possibility of returning back and having your child missing due to your fixation on liquor or cigarettes?

These people should be fined simply for stupidity.

I don't smoke or drink liquor. Just grabbing some Corona Light!

I had 2 cop cars block my car from behind 15 years ago when I stepped into the Deerfield Beach Observer to hand them a check for an ad. I was only 6 feet from my car, could see it clearly through the plate glass window and front door, the windows were all cracked and I'd left my 4 kids in there for about 3 minutes, tops. I just happened to be near the cop shop and some well-meaning officers driving by saw me walk in and leave them.
The officers said it was okay to leave them in there, but I should have left the keys in the ignition and the car running.
Um, okay.
Of course, they also took another 15 minutes to harrass me about my tag (though it was paid and current), and the possibility that I'd stolen the car (older Chev wagon with 4 kids inside..uh, yeah. I guess that happens)

I have 2 more young kids these days and I take them in with me everywhere. The hassle of farting with 2 booster seats for a 60 second errand is nothing compared to dealing with law enforcement who have the ability to take your kid from you.

And hey, maybe Lily might enjoy tequila. ;-)

You make a great point. Maybe I should spend some time teaching Lily to fasten her own seat belt, and then it wouldn't be such a hassle.

Of course, then she'll also learn how easy it is to unfasten it and start doing it while you're tooling down 95.
I'm an older mom with grown kids and young kids, and I survived being parented in a non-nanny society.
Now it seems we all have to surrender our own common sense to that of the lowest common denominator.

Exactly. I try not live in fear of the Worst Case Scenario, and to have a little faith that if I pop into the store for 4 or 5 minutes at 6 p.m. when it's not 90 degrees out, that
A. I won't be sent to jail
B. A criminal won't break into my car, hotwire and take off w/ my car and daughter
But I guess that's not acceptable. Some people would call me a bad parent, I guess.
They'll probably criticize me for taking her into the liquor store, too.

"They'll probably criticize me for taking her into the liquor store, too."
Yeah, some might harbor bad thoughts. But hey, you didn't leave her to perish a hideous death in your vehicle, and you didn't send her alone to the liquor store on her trike to pick you up some martini fixins at 10 am.

I usually just buy my kids some Tic Tacs and then all the naysayers can see my trip to the liquor store wasn't simply all about me.

Ha, Ha, LE actually harassed hubby for leaving a dog in our car when the temp was 38 degrees.

Don't they have more important things to do than patrol the local diners, up North?

Nanny state, here we ARE!!

As someone who has left her dog in the car (windows cracked, of course) for a mere few minutes while running an errand, I am hesitant to judge. But, we are talking about a child here.

Maybe it's just me, but there are way too many potential hazards out there -- nevermind the heat -- for me to even think about leaving a 5 year old child (or any aged child for that matter) in a car unattended. The child could unfasten him/herself and get lost or hurt. The car could get "jacked." Or worse, some sicko might see it as quite an opportune moment . . . .

I know schlepping with kids is hard; but for me, the harder thing is thinking about the "what if's" of this situation. Should we be legislating common sense? No, I don't think so. But if it helps prevent some senseless accident or crime, I am all for it.

But what if I take her in the liquor store and a giant bottle of tequila falls on her head?
I'm kidding.
But who knows, maybe I will stop my evil ways and bring her with me next time. I certainly don't need the police on my case.

Michael's Mommy...there are more potential hazards in the average home than in the confined space of a parked car than I can even begin to list.

If you let your child play alone in a room without supervision for more than a few minutes you are more likely to find a TV falling on them, them choking on a grape, swallowing a poison, sticking something in an outlet, or lighting a match, than you are having them injured in a car seat while a parent runs a super quick run in a store.

I think we all need to get a bit of perspective and step away from our love of freak tragedy.

You risk your kid's life for watered down Mexican piss? Jack Daniels, sure.

Well sometimes I buy Amstel Lite. Does that make it OK?

Lady,
Get your beer on your own time, Any parent leaving their child or children in a car alone that you are away for more that a minute should be shot!!!!!!!!!!!!! Car jackings, overheated car, child hits shifter by mistake and all the other things that can go wrong. Their not dogs, and dogs by the way are treated better.. Once again, get your lousy beer on your own time .

You all must have some really out of control children if you think my little Lily darling would crawl into the front seat, hotwire my car, put it in gear and drive away from her favorite person in the world -- ME!

Sorry, while I sympathize with you, I can't agree. There are too many nutsos around any more to feel safe leaving my child in a car in a parking lot. I agree either make the liquor store an errand you run when not with child, go to Publix so your daughter can sit in the cart, send someone else, or bring Lily with you. I'd rather my child be safe and know that I sometimes drink beer then to be left alone in a parking lot. Who cares if she's in the liquor store if you're only running in for 1 min anyway??

Substitute post office for liquor store.
Run a quick package into the tumbler.
Or the library...drop some books in the drop box.
Or the gas station...put down 10 for 3 gallons.

?

Actually, yes, I do leave her in the car when I drop books in the library drop. As of yet no bandits have stolen her.
Keep in mind my car doors are locked. This crazed person would not have time to break in AND figure out how to hot-wire my car, before the Plantation cops arrive.