Every summer, as the temperatures rise and the sun relentlessly sets, a tragic and recurring story comes to grab the nation’s attention: children are left in hot cars, often with devastating consequences. These heartbreaking stories serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, even for a short time. Yet in a shocking turn of events, one mother named Bonnie Engle decided to play a controversial prank and left her child in a hot car while she went shopping at Target.
She even leaves a note in the window to reassure concerned onlookers that she did it on purpose because she didn’t want to deal with the hassle of removing a child from a car seat to accompany her.
A handwritten note informed people that she would “be back soon” and that her baby had everything she needed to take care of herself while the mom had the time of her life shopping without the responsibility of a toddler. This has now caused a furious internet controversy after her picture was posted online.
The message read, “My baby is fine. She has her gum and drinks with her! It’s me at Target. To prevent anyone from thinking it’s bad and trying to save her baby from the confines of a burning hot car, be sure to repeatedly emphasize the words “OK”, “Destination” and “I’ll be back soon”.
In the United States, where Engle lives, too many infants die of heatstroke after being abandoned by their parents and left in a hot car for extended periods of time. Engle decided to leave her child alone in the hot car while she went to the air conditioner at her neighborhood Target store, despite the fact that deaths in hot cars are all too common in the United States. At that time, she was not afraid of criticism from others.
No judgments please, Engle wrote in a video she uploaded to Instagram. He is fine and safe. She is the mother of three children, all of whom grew old in infancy.
However, Engle moved the camera to the front of the car and revealed that her husband was still inside, sipping an iced coffee. He was also munching on a bag of popcorn, but he didn’t seem as amused by the internet prank as Engle was.
In a short time, Bonnie Engle’s video on Instagram collected more than thirty million views. Before they realized it was all a giant trick, other parents on the social network were ready to criticize Bonnie.
Another mother stated, “I was going to be really angry for a second; I wasn’t expecting that.”
Another commenter said: “My heart dropped and then I (laughs).”
Despite the fact that many people found Bonnie’s Instagram hoax hilarious, many others found it reprehensible considering that too many children die in hot cars every summer in America.
A reviewer commented, “You shouldn’t make fun of leaving a baby in the car.”
Another person’s comment was: “Honestly, it’s so tacky.”
As a society, we must continue to educate and inform individuals about the risks of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during hot weather. Technology and awareness campaigns help prevent deaths from hot cars and offer parents and caregivers tools and reminders to keep their young children safe.
In conclusion, Bonnie Engle’s controversial prank of leaving her child in a hot car while she went shopping has sparked a heated debate about the boundaries of humor and sensitivity. While some found the twist amusing, others were deeply disturbed by the initial depiction of a child left unattended in a dangerous situation. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of comedy, especially when it intersects with such serious issues as the safety of children in hot cars. Regardless of where we are on the humor spectrum, it is imperative that we continue to prioritize child safety and educate the public about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially in the sweltering summer temperatures.
Did you find this mom’s joke about leaving your child in a hot car offensive or funny?