HomeMy WebLinkAbout13_04_25 Kaitlan's Law Child PSA
BAKERSFIELD POLICE
DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Greg Williamson, Chief of Police
Contact: Michaela Beard
Public Information Office
661-326-3803
mbeard@bakersfieldpd.us
For Immediate Release April 25, 2013
The Bakersfield Police Department would like to remind the community of the dangers involved
in leaving children unattended in a vehicle.
On October 12, 2001 California Governor Gray Davis signed “Kaitlyn’s Law,” making it a citable
offense in the state of California, to leave a child younger than six years of age unattended in a
vehicle. Kaitlyn’s Law was named after 6 month old Kaitlyn Russell, who was left by her
babysitter in a vehicle for several hours; however, first responders said she died within the first
half hour.
The Bakersfield Police Department aggressively pursues these types of cases to assist with
keeping children safe. Anyone who leaves a child unattended in a vehicle in conditions that are
likely to cause bodily injury or death, can and will be charged with child endangerment and other
applicable charges.
Children should never be left unattended in a vehicle; however, with the changing of the
seasons and the warmer weather on the horizon, the Bakersfield Police Department wants to
remind parents and caretakers not to leave children in vehicles. Studies show that even on
cooler days, temperatures rise quickly in vehicles, with the majority of the rise occurring in the
first 15 to 30 minutes, putting children in significant danger. The inside temperature of the
vehicle can soar to over 25 degrees warmer than the temperature outdoors.
Additionally, car theft with the child inside the vehicle, kidnapping and Carbon Monoxide
poisoning are a few of many reasons why children should not be left in vehicles unattended.
There are many tips recommended to the public to help prevent leaving a child in a vehicle.
One suggestion is to place all personal items, such as a purse or cellular phone in the backseat
of the vehicle, as a reminder to take your child when exiting. Another recommendation is to
place a stuffed animal in the front seat of the vehicle as a visual reminder to take your child.
You can now send an anonymous text message to the Bakersfield Police Department. It’s quick and it’s easy.
Simply enter 274637 into your phone and text BPDCRIMES along with your message. The text is sent to the
police department and the sender remains completely anonymous.
Tips can also be anonymously sent through the smartphone “TipSubmit” mobile App or via email at
https://www.tipsubmit.com.