Death of Child is Punishment Enough

Media Release 16 April 2015
Family First NZ is calling on the police to use their discretion and to drop the charges against a mother who left her pre-schooler in a car, saying that the death of her son is punishment enough.

“Whether an act of stupidity, neglect, or unfortunate circumstance, this mother has received a life sentence – literally. She will have to live with the tragic outcome of the death of her son. What is the point of pursuing this further?” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“This has had devastating consequences that no jail term or punishment could outweigh.”

“There is a place for charges to be laid in similar circumstances, but when the outcome has been so tragic, it seems that the mother has been punished enough. This does not appear to be a neglectful mother. It appears to be simply a tragic tragic mistake,” says Mr McCoskrie.

Family First is calling on the police to use their discretion and to drop the charges, but to use the sad tragic incident as an opportunity to remind and educate all families of the potential consequences of similar actions.

Family First made a similar call on a previous case where a son died as a result of the father’s actions
https://www.familyfirst.org.nz/2011/04/police-should-show-compassion-to-father/
ENDS