Kjoy...because we don't know the cause, or know if other children are in the home...we don't know the intent of the charge.  It could be to assess the safety of the home.

The latest news was that the mom and grandma left the baby in a car seat and went outside for a period of time, leaving the dogs inside.

I am torn, as like many other stories we don't know what truly happened...nor do I want to know.

Kay --

I think there are times when people are charged and other times they aren't, and there are probably reasons for charging...sometimes wrong (ie, police overstepping), but most times right....ie to conduct an investigation.  A charge does not imply guilt.  It implies..we will look into it and see if there are grounds for proceeding.  Charges can be dropped as far as I know. In addition, one is innocent until proven guilty.

I have an acquaintance that lost a 3-yr old in a terrible tragedy, two parents both active in the home..child got into the pool.  They weren't charged.

So....maybe it is just me...i'm suspecting there is more to the story.

I just caught this story on "The National" tonight.  From what I saw I cannot imagine how this young mother could be charged with manslaughter.  Charge her with having a careless moment if they must - but manslaughter.  Her baby is sitting in a car seat on the floor.  She steps out the door for a smoke - she doesn't go to a movie, or to visit a neighbour, or to the store - she steps outside her door.  Her mother and the baby's father are also both on the premises, although not in the room. 

I don't imagine that there are many of us who haven't run out to the garden to pick some lettuce, or down to the basement to change the laundry from the washer to the dryer, or gone upstairs to make the beds and 'left the baby alone'.  Alone, but not lying on the bed or chesterfield where she might roll off, or in her highchair where she might slip out or tip it over.  Alone on the floor in a car seat - while the adults were outside the door or in another part of the house.  

Her mistake was in not taking into account that there were two dogs in the house.  I presume they were trusted pets - that they had been introduced to the baby several weeks before and that being around her they hadn't shown any agression.  But no animal can be trusted unsupervised with a baby.  So one or both attack.  A Shitsu or a toy poodle could have done the same.  It doesn't take much to kill a baby.  A big cat might if it took it into its head. 

Of course the baby should have been put in its crib if the mother couldn't be in the same room with it 24/7.  But she didn't think, and an accident happened. 

That's how I see it, unless there is a lot more to the story than we see on the news.

The 17 year old mom and 37 year old grandmother were charged.

The baby's father and grandfather were in the garage and not charged.

The dogs belonged to others who live in the house.

I'm sorry this tragedy happened.

I don't know the full story.

 My first instinct was that I'm sure she feels horrible as it is, and shouldn't be charged.  Not the best parenting choice, but at least she was smoking in the same room as the baby. 

In cases like these (although I don't know all the details) I almost feel as if when it is a complete accident the guilt is punishment enough.  If police hear about people who leave a baby unattended with dogs and don't charge them if nothing happens, why charge someone else who is already being punished.

I think back thirteen years ago.  I have a picture of it - thought it was cute.  I was out in the kitchen preparing supper.  Things were quiet in the livingroom.  I peeked in and there was Seelergirl asleep in the recliner.  Mr. Seeler asleep in the other comfy chair.  And little 3 or 4 week old granddaughter asleep in her infant carrier on the floor between them.  I grabbed the camera for proof.  

The point is, no one was watching the baby, on the floor in a little seat.  And although she is not in the picture I'm sure that our big black Labrador retriever would have been somewhere in the house loose to wonder into the livingroom at any time. 

I can't imagine Pepper doing anything to that baby except protecting it if necessary - but most people trust their pet dogs.

What a great image of the spin...and the laugh that followed..thanks birthstone.