What Age Can A Child Be Left Alone In A Car In Pennsylvania?

I saw something very disturbing today at the grocery store. I went to Giant in Bensalem to pick up some cat litter and a shower curtain. It was supposed to be a quick trip so I can get home and start making brunch for my boyfriend and me. I pulled into the parking lot ad it took forever for me to find a parking spot. It was like everyone in Bucks County picked the same day and time to go grocery shopping. I ended up having to park in the back of the lot super far from the store entrance. I pulled up next to a red Suburban, looked to my left, and saw a little boy who was no more than 5 years old staring at me with his hands on the window.

The little boy wasn't strapped into a car seat or anything. He was standing on the seat, hands-on window, and appeared to be crying at the top of his lungs. I froze not knowing what to do. I was scared and sad for the baby all at the same time. I sat in my car for about 7 minutes debating if I should call the police or not. Thankfully, the boy's mother came out of Giant not long after, loaded the groceries in the car, and sped off.

Did you know that it is illegal to leave a child alone in the car unattended if they are under 6 years old in the state of Pennsylvania? According to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Title 75 states that "A person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle may not permit a child under six years of age to remain unattended in the vehicle when the motor vehicle is out of the person's sight and under circumstances which endanger the health, safety or welfare of the child."

Here is what you should do if you see a child left alone in a car. According to NHTSA, the best thing to do if you see a child unresponsive and alone in a car is to call 911. Then do whatever is necessary to get the child out of the car. Lastly, spray water on their face to wake them up. If the child is responsive, the best thing for you to do is wait with the child until help comes or have someone else look for the parent or guardian of the child.