Purple Ribbon has new meaning

Purple Hearts awarded to veterans wounded in action, have long stood as a reminder of courage and bravery on the battlefield. Now, the Purple Ribbon symbolizes something just as serious, that children left alone in cars can die. During an August 4 news conference at the Mercy Child Development Center in Bakersfield, members of the Children Advocacy Committee handed out the ribbons to all who attended commemorating August as Purple Ribbon Month.

It was a collaboration by the county Department of Human Services (with support from First Five Kern), the Kern County Network for Children and many local agencies that promote child safety and well-being. Purple Ribbon Month seeks to create awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in and around motor vehicles. Individuals and organizations were asked to wear purple lapel ribbons and display them on car antennas and trees throughout Kern County for the month of August.

“Purple Ribbon Month honors Kaitlyn Marie Russell for whom Kaitlyn’s Law was enacted,” said Kern County’s Assistant Director Department of Human Services Elena Acosta. “Kaitlyn was only six months old, when she died after being left alone in a closed car in 100 degree heat for several hours by her babysitter. It’s now against the law to leave a child, under the age of six, unattended in a motor vehicle without the supervision  of someone at least 12 years old. We want the public to understand that vehicles parked in the heat are no place for children.”

Acosta was one of several speakers from child advocacy groups and law enforcement who took the podium in support of Purple Ribbon month. Prior to their speeches, Department of Human Services Outreach and Communications Coordinator Heidi Carter-Escudero invited the public to witness a demonstration emphasizing the news conference’s importance. She put two child-size dolls in the back seat of a car with one holding a thermometer. As she closed the doors, the temperature read 86 degrees. After the speeches, about 15 minutes later, the car door was opened to reveal the reading on the thermometer had reached 120 degrees.

“Heat rises so quickly inside a closed car that it can be deadly to a child,” Acosta said. “Since 1998, there has been an average of 37 child deaths per year in California attributed to hyperthermia, as a result of leaving children unattended inside vehicles. Half the deaths occur because parents forget they’ve left children in cars or were confused about who was supposed to take care of those children.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa Green promised those who violate Kaitlyn’s Law “will be prosecuted because we all need to be responsible for our actions and protect our children,” Green said. “It is troubling that cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor (can result in a fine of $20,000 and a year in prison), but Kaitlyn’s Law is merely an infraction.”

Kaitlyn’s Law does carry a fine of $100, but those found guilty of the offense can still be prosecuted further if the child is injured or requires medical services as a result.

Organizers expressed three ways to minimize future occurrences: (1) always put your purse or briefcase in the backseat when driving a child, (2) request immediate notification if your baby or toddler does not arrive on time at daycare, and (3) if you see a baby or toddler left alone in a car, call 911 immediately.