Portsmouth Police responded to two separate child safety scares in a single afternoon—both involving kids who were supposed to be under someone’s watchful eye.
🚗 First Call: Kids Left Alone in a Car?
At 12:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Robinson and Waller Streets after a caller reported spotting two children left alone inside a gray vehicle. Officers arrived about 15 minutes later and checked every gray car in the area—but found no sign of unattended kids. They believe the children may have gone inside a nearby building before police arrived.
🚸 Second Call: Toddler Wandering in the Street
Just two hours later, at 2:50 p.m., a much more serious situation unfolded on the 6600 block of Gallia Street. A concerned citizen called 911 after spotting a toddler wandering in the roadway alone. When police arrived, they quickly reunited the child with his mother and got the story: she had left her 16-year-old in charge of babysitting, but when she came home, the toddler had vanished—prompting her to call 911 in a panic.
The child was found unharmed, and the home was clean and orderly. Police gave the mother a verbal warning, but used the opportunity to remind parents about the importance of making sure teens are truly ready for the responsibility of watching younger siblings or neighborhood children.
👮♂️ Officer Advice: Is Your Teen Ready to Babysit?
Experts say these close calls serve as a wake-up call for parents who rely on teens to babysit—especially during summer break when more kids are left home during the day.
Here’s what they recommend:
✅ Age Isn’t Everything – Just because your teen is old enough doesn’t mean they’re mature enough. Make sure they know how to handle emergencies, set boundaries, and stay focused.
📱 Keep Communication Open – Teens should have a way to reach a parent or another adult if something goes wrong. And parents should check in regularly.
🚪 Lock It Down – Make sure doors are secured, especially if there are toddlers or young children who might wander.
🧠 Know the Basics – Babysitters should know CPR, basic first aid, and what to do if a child goes missing, gets hurt, or won’t stop crying.
🚓 When in Doubt, Call for Help – As the mom on Gallia Street did, don’t hesitate to call 911 if a child disappears or something feels wrong.
“Summer is busy, and parents need help—but it’s crucial to make sure teens are truly ready to babysit before leaving them in charge,” one expert said. “A moment of inattention can turn into a dangerous situation in seconds.”
Luckily, no children were harmed in either incident—but both serve as reminders: when it comes to kids, there’s no substitute for preparation.
