Quote Originally Posted by Lady's Human
I can think of any number of "What ifs" covering almost every single activity people do every day. For instance, I fall asleep while watching my 3 y/o. Should I have to answer to CPS? After all, there are any number of evils which could befall him while I nod off for 30 seconds.
I was thinking the exact same thing. My son can get out of his carseat, and could operate little buttons, climb into the front seat, out the window, etc. All while I am physically in the car with him. Should I be jailed because of this?

We are out walking in the 'hood, and Jonah darts out into the street. I am right there with him. Should I be jailed because of this?

Jonah goes into the bathroom for his 'needs'. He gets his hand pinched in the door. Should I be jailed because of this? After all, he was not in my sight!

Of course not. There are elements of the crime of child endangering. They require the act of a prudent person, and include words like reasonable, and likely.

Everything happens in a matter of seconds- accidents, intentional acts, good things, and bad. Life is risky. Hell, she could have been attacked, as she approached the kettle, by a mugger with a sleeping child in her arms, knocked to the ground, on top of the child, suffering a skull fracture. Or, with the child in her arms, she could have slipped on ice, or, the other kids could have been hit by a car, kidnapped....and on and on and on.