Saddest story of the year

[sirvaliantbrown]

Did you all read Gene Weingarten on parents who accidentally killed their children by leaving them in their cars?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/27/AR2009022701549.html?nav=most_emailed

It's excruciating. Man. To make yourself do 15 of these interviews...

 

[Bullwinkle]

Wow, Gene Weingarten is one hell of a writer.

 

[Cubman71]

Riveting.

and as a parent of two young children, it hits home even more.

 

[DanOregon]

It's an interesting story - he didn't get too deep into the pathos and sadness that linger over the story, but actually seemed interested in finding out why and how something like that could happen, instead of just pondering the metaphysical.
Surprised someone hasn't come up with something to attach to the car seat, (some kind of trigger) that would go off if it was depressed by the baby's weight and the doors locked.

 

[HejiraHenry]

Stunning, haunting piece of work. Up there with some of the best magazine writing I have read.

 

[playthrough]

It's an interesting story - he didn't get too deep into the pathos and sadness that linger over the story, but actually seemed interested in finding out why and how something like that could happen, instead of just pondering the metaphysical.
Surprised someone hasn't come up with something to attach to the car seat, (some kind of trigger) that would go off if it was depressed by the baby's weight and the doors locked.

From the story it sounded like something like that had been created. But liability and salability (who would buy it, thinking they'd need it?) are keeping it away.

What a story.

 

[93Devil]

This scares me to death.

Lil 93 tends to fall asleep in the car as well...

I am guessing something could be triggered with the snaps, but God, this terrifies me.

 

[imjustagirl]

That ending absolutely slayed me.

 

[KG]

From my years of being a nanny, I still don't get out of my car without looking at the back seat first. Back when I was a nanny, I was constantly checking the back seat while driving (to make sure everyone was in the car, breathing, etc.), even when the kids were not with me. It may seem like a paranoid habit, but if it saves a life, it's worth it.

 

[FileNotFound]

That ending absolutely slayed me.

Me too. That is, by far, the best story I wish I had never read.

 

[shockey]

just finished the piece. extraordinary. can't wait for the follow-up. :D :D :D

 

[ADodgen]

I just can't imagine doing those interviews.

 

[CentralIllinoisan]

What a story. I really, honestly, do not know what I would do with myself without Jake.

 

[Point of Order]

Holy ****

 

[Hookem06]

I'm not 40, but I'm a man and this story almost put me to tears.

 

[ralph russo]

Just read the first "page." Will try to read the rest. So well done, and really the most impressive thing is simply being willing to immerse yourself in a story that could literally make you sick. To dive into a topic that tragic takes real mettle and an iron stomach.

Which makes me wonder, we've all covered stories that were horribly sad. When you're working, especially if it's breaking news, you tend to keep your emotions in check because you have a job to do. "I don't have time to cry, I have to file." Your intellect wins out over your emotions.

I wonder if Gene was able to insulate himself from the excruciating pain of his subjects with whatever mechanism kicks in when you're responsible for getting a job done.

And I wonder if, when he was done, he had himself a good long cry.

 

[chilidog75]

I simply cannot even imagine that horror. Reliving that moment, every day, for the rest of your life. Unreal.
The antecdote about the guy's car motion sensor that kept beeping nearly made me stop reading.

A great, awful, vital story.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

I couldn't read past the first page.

I've always taken my dogs wih me pretty much everywhere, and I remember a handful of times I've gotten into the car and been a little startled because I'd forgotten the dog was in the car. As a new father, I'd like to think I could never make such a mistake, but the idea that I could ... I'd kill myself. There's no way I could live with what is described in this story. No way.

 

[shockey]

also make me curious to know more about gene. anyone know him? how old is he? does he have children of his own?

my point: as a dad, i don't know if i'd be able to have done this story. if he is a father, even more "wows" to him.

if he's not a father, was this helpful in his reporting? thoughts?

 

[imjustagirl]

also make me curious to know more about gene. anyone know him? how old is he? does he have children of his own?

my point: as a dad, i don't know if i'd be able to have done this story. if he is a father, even more "wows" to him.

if he's not a father, was this helpful in his reporting? thoughts?

According to Wiki, he has two kids (28-ish and 25-ish).