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Child Hit By Car Save Email Print
Posted: 9:59 AM May 14, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:59 AM May 14, 2008
 Reporter: Anna Baxter
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com
48 comments
A | A | A

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia State Police say a 6 year-old child was hit by a car at a gas station in Charleston.

The incident happened Tuesday afternoon at the Go-Mart on Greenbrier Street.

Police say the child just finished paying for the gas that her mother had pumped when she ran out of the store and was hit by a car.

The driver and girl told police they didn't see each other.

The 6-year-old was taken to CAMC General with minor head injuries.

Police say no charges will be filed in the case.
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Posted by: KC on May 21, 2008 at 11:26 AM
TO- TO KC: I live 2 doors down from the gas station and watched her go in. I also had talked with the workers and they would help out. That's the beauty of a small community. At 9, now she also can cook, clean, do laundry and if something were to happen to me, could survive. When my son is 9 I hope he could, too. My kids earn a commission, not get an allowance. So, if I am LAZY for teaching my kids responsibility, then I welcome your remarks. Are my kids perfect at everything they do? No, but at least they try their best to do what is asked of them. At least when they are 17 and 18 in college, they will be able to take care of themselves.
Posted by: mother on May 18, 2008 at 07:32 AM
To Elizabeth, You need to think this was a 6 YEAR OLD CHILD not a 16 YEAR OLD. I guess it will be okay if the mom let her child go in the mall and pay while she sets out it the parking lot. Since the little girl wanted to play grown up. I tell you some people should not be PARENTS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: mother on May 17, 2008 at 09:26 AM
To Get-a-Grip I glad you not watching my 6 year since you think you need to cut the cord. Hey you need to raise your kid at 6 so they no what to do and what right and whats wrong not to cut the cord and hope they live pass 6 Im sure this mother new that she shouldnt let her 6 year old go to a busy gas station and let her pay espicially since gas staion are like 4.00 people are crazy over that so you think they will be paying attention whats around them. Parents just need to step up to the plate like they use to
Posted by: Elizabeth on May 16, 2008 at 08:21 AM
This is my first time reading this comment column and it is very apparent that only the opinionated and ignorant usually participate. Hope I do not fit either one of those. Why has no one felt the driver is responsibile to be alert and in control of their vehicle? Things still happen however, to blame a 6 year old or call the mother lazy is just ridiculous! Any one who has or has had a 6 year old knows all the variables--they want to do things, they don't always look before "leaping", and even if the Mother was watching things happen with such speed it probably wouldn't matter. It has been my experience (and it is getting worse)that many, many of the drivers out there think they have the right of way, think they are NASCar driving and I could go on. Let's all just be thankful the 6 yearold is ok. Placing blame is idiotic unless the driver was negilent--we don't know that we were not there. Jeez!
Posted by: Get-a-grip! on May 15, 2008 at 11:31 PM
I would hate to see how some of you are raising your children. Do you hold their hands when they go to the restroom? My 7 & 8 year old children have more sense than most of you and they can surely spell better. As for this mother being lazy, I'm sure that you people calling her names are regualr energizer bunnies:) The only fault that this mother has is that she should teach her daughter to look both ways and to not just take off running to her destination. I'm sure after what happened to her that she will remember from now on. We learn from our mistakes, unless we are like some of you people THINK you are PERFECT. By the time a child is 6 they should be able to pay for things themselves. My children started learning how to count money in kindergarten and you can best believe that no cashier is going to get away with shortchanging one of them. People, you have to cut the cord sometime or your children won't be able to stand on their own two feet when they grow up.
Posted by: Misty on May 15, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Yeah people its nice to let your kid play grown up, but the world today is not like it used to be. People drive to fast and pay no attention whats around them. The mother could have walked her 6 year old daughter into the store and let her pay the cashier and she still would have thought she was a grown up. Thats what I do with my 5 almost 6 daughter. I bet the mother would'nt let her do it again. Thank GOD she wasnt killed!!!
Posted by: Bev on May 15, 2008 at 05:21 PM
I agree that we need to take care when in parking lots because of pedestrians. That is a given after all. But this child was just 6 years old. I do not for 1 minute think this mother intended for her child to be injured. As a parent I know I was not perfect as nobody is. I imagine this lady is kicking herself for not being as vigilant as she could have been. To ANONYMOUS @12:58 am: If I see my neighbor pick his 3 year old son up and throw him against the wall am I supposed to ignore that? After all that does go along with your way of thinking. You're right nobody's perfect, but we have a moral obligation to report abuse. Some people would consider this neglect. When my son was little he would forget to look both ways before walking out in front of cars so I always held his hand. They get busy in their little minds and just forget about the rules. Thank God she wasn't killed and maybe we all can learn a lesson from this.
Posted by: Christina on May 15, 2008 at 02:33 PM
What people are writing on here is stupid. It could have even happend to the parent. Wow! Most of these people on here need to let there kids do something on there own and oh well if the kid was 6. I pumped and paid for gas when I was that little and my mom or dad wasn't lazy. Someimtes I did it just for fun. LET YOUR KIDS DO SOMETHING FOR A FREAKIN' CHANGE!!
Posted by: Melissa on May 15, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Have any of you commenting on this story ever been to the Go Mart on Greenbrier Street, it's not like she was crossing a main interstate....My Goodness... I have a 16yr old son...at that time of day there is hardly any traffic there and I would have seen no reason not to let the child pay for gas it makes them feel "Special" GROW UP S--- happens
Posted by: Kimberly on May 15, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Okay people chill out with the neglect. It is one of those situations where your danged if you do an danged if you don't. If the mother went in to pay then the child would have been left alone in the car. People don't think when they are in a hurry. She should have went in and took her daughter with her, but she didn't. Every parent make some stupid mistake sometime and now the mother is paying for it. Just leave her alone.
Posted by: Just a question on May 15, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Call CPS on me for teaching my kids responsibility. I watch what they do, but I do not hold their hand every step of the way. That is the biggest part of parenting; teaching your kids to become independent in life. Of course, this varies depending on each kid, but needs to happen. It's good that your child calls when they get to their friends house. If you won't let them go into a store & BUY (not by-your wrong- also it's others who DON'T.) a candy bar, I'm surprised you even let them walk out of your sight. Do you hold their hand in a parking lot, too? How can they cross a street to go to the friend's house, which is more dangerous than a parking lot? Isn't that a double standard? Also, if the driver HAD been paying attention, he/she would have seen the girl. I agree with Sam, KC, Leah, DDCJ, An.@12:58, Shame Shame. Maybe the mom was watching the girl. Get off her back. Do you let your kids set the table? Wash the dishes? Help w/laundry? If so, are you LAZY or is it called PARENTING?
Posted by: To KC on May 15, 2008 at 10:17 AM
So you feel better for keeping your son safer then your daughter. How whard is it to pick up a five year old little girl and do only God knows what. There is no excuse for being to lazy to watch yourown child.
Posted by: To Shame on May 15, 2008 at 09:48 AM
was not the drivers resposibility to watch someone elses child not matter how lazy they were! The parent should have been watching their child, other drivers need to be more careful just incase someone isnt watching their child. Children do not need to be put into harms way there is enough wrong in this world for parents to put their child up to doing whatever it is that they were to lazy to do to begin with.
Posted by: Mother on May 15, 2008 at 09:38 AM
My first reaction is that of many of you. . . why would a mother let a 6 YR OLD go into a store to pay for gas. I will not even let my 8 year old go in the store by herself. We must remember that it is still her mom that must be going thru a horrible time as well. Please pray for both of them.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 15, 2008 at 08:14 AM
WOW it's amazing to me how many people on here are defending this mother. How can that be? Who cares if the bible says don't judge others. I'm sure somewhere in there it tells us to take care of our children too...how can anyone blame the person driving the car? Little children POP out of nowhere and are harder to see. One of the many reasons the PARENTS are supposed to be watching them. I am the mother of a 6 yr old also, and when we are in a parking lot I have my hand on him at all times, and btw I also have a 1 yr old that I'm carrying but I somehow manage to not neglect my 6 yr old. There is a reason that children that age are supposed to be watched. It's not legal to leave them home without a babysitter so why is it legal to send them into the store to pay for your gas. I don't think anyone is even thinking about what might have happened if some pervert had been around and seen this small child alone. Think about your actions before it's too late. You may not get a second chance.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 15, 2008 at 12:58 AM
ok first of all maybe we all need to think back were we all perfect raising our kids ....NO......maybe the parent was trying to teach responsibility....you know how we each raise our kids is no one elses business...second of all my daughter is two she has a lil brother am i lazy because she likes helping me feed him or getting in the playpen playing with him....so we all need to quit judging and say well we all do things differently and how we each raise our kids is entirely up to us....NOBODYS PERFECT........
Posted by: shame shame on May 14, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Always blame the Parent how about the idiot going to fast in a parking lot to pump gas at $4.00 a gallon to notice the kid.
Posted by: Sarah on May 14, 2008 at 10:37 PM
how can you guys be so judgemental? Maybe you guys need to consider about praying for this family and that the girl will be ok... my thoughts and prayers go to the family.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Every body posting negative comments and saying that the mother needs to be charged with neglect should take a good hard look at their life before coming down on others. Get over yourselves and leave the mother alone.
Posted by: KC on May 14, 2008 at 09:21 PM
I agree with Sam's perspective. My 9 yo could go a few doors down to the local gas station and buy candy when she was 5. However, we had taught her how to do it and the workers helped us out. We also watched her do this. My 7 yo son is just now allowed to do this. He is not as responsible as my daughter. It all depends on the child. Is it LAZY of me to teach my kids responsibility and the value of money? Is it lazy of me to not hold their hand when we come out of Walmart? The same thing could happen there. Kids run out into the street to get a ball. The same thing could happen. Our job as parents is to teach them how to be INDEPENDENT. It starts when they are born. BTW... the Driver's ED book CLEARLY states that the DRIVER is to be in control of the vehicle AT ALL TIMES. PEDESTRIANS have the right away. What is the difference between a girl coming out of a gas station and her getting off the school bus and crossing the street? Not all cars stop for the bus.
Posted by: DDCJ on May 14, 2008 at 08:28 PM
TO Anonymous: I would not blame this on the mom. When my son was around 6 or 7 he wanted to go in and pay for the gas. He even wanted to pump it himself. He thought he was a big kid when he did that. Sometimes parents get the blame for EVERYTHING. Anyway, thank goodness the child was not hurt any worse than that than she was.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 08:17 PM
I am an over protective parent. I would not let my 9 year old go pay for gas on his own. Not because I do not trust him but because you never know when someone will whip their car in quickly and not be looking for a 3 foot something to be walking out into the lot. Maybe she was walking around a parked car and the driver did not see her until she emerged infront of him? You just never know. I keep my kids with me just incase.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 07:25 PM
For 'Just a Question': My 11 yr old is in the 5th grade. No hes not been held back. Hes a safety patrol. No I don't walk him to the neighbors house, but he has to call when he gets there. Its called parenting. For 'Concerned': Who said anything about a 6th grader? Put your glasses on.
Posted by: leah on May 14, 2008 at 07:10 PM
i hope the lil girl is ok. my prayers are w/ the family and the driver! now i would not let my 6 year old pump gas; but go in and pay is no big deal. i have a 19, 15,and 13 year old. my 15 and 13 year old have gone on their own and paid for the gas and have pumped it for around 6 years on their own. im not lazy and im not an idiot, but i do believe that they were ready, just like i let them go to the bus stop on thier own, or to a friends house, oh and i let them bathe themselves and dress themselves... geez i see why you are anonymous you must still do this for your 11 year old. that must be the one that my child was making fun of!!! let them grow up, my 19 year old has moved out and while he is home once in a while i really love it but he has moved out and now lives in lexington and at the same time im like YES ONE DOWN AND 2 MORE TO GO. and guess what thats just one thing i dont have to worry about cause they are getting more independent. YEA!!! THEY NEED TO FEEL THAT AT ALL AGES!
Posted by: what an idiot on May 14, 2008 at 06:34 PM
I have a six year old who has an IQ over 130 and reads on at least a 6th grade level. I wouldn't let him walk alone through a busy gas station lot. Oh and 11 year olds are typically in fifth or sixth grade. For Kelly, she needs to be glad there is a chance for a next time. She shouldn't have had her paying for gas at all. Going with your child into the store and allowing the child to pay is a whole lot different than sending them by themselves because you were too lazy or ignorant to go yourself. Any if it is because she had other kids in the car, Then get a DEBIT card.
Posted by: Anon on May 14, 2008 at 05:55 PM
I will be praying for the child as well as the mother and the other driver. The people on here making the negative comments need to realize that we as parents are not perfect and sometimes we do things that don't make sense to others. I go to this gas station quite often and this is a good place to send you child in alone because you can see their every move from outside. Also a lot of kids like to go and pay for gas because it makes them feel grown up. Leave this mother alone she was doing what she thought was ok for her child.
Posted by: gary on May 14, 2008 at 04:34 PM
MY KID IS 3 YRS OLD HE GOES IN AND PAYS FOR MY GAS AND STEALS HIM A CANDY BAR TOO,,WHILE HE IS AT IT,,,SOMETIME I EVEN LET HIM DRIVE,,,,HE HE HE NOTHING YALL CAN DO ABOUT IT,,,NOBODY CAN CATCH HIM HE HE HE HE
Posted by: Sarah on May 14, 2008 at 04:23 PM
I hope the girl is going to be alright-to all the people that is judging the parent(it is against the Blble to judge other people you know)I will be praying for the family...
Posted by: Beth on May 14, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Who let's a 6 year old pay for gas? I have a 7 year old, and there is not way in the world I would let him go in to pay for gas.....
Posted by: Trixie on May 14, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Sooooo, Where was the mother again? What is wrong with people these days, No child needs to be doing things like that on their own..Especially at the age of 6..Great parenting methods mom!!!
Posted by: one with common sense on May 14, 2008 at 03:51 PM
To let us and Kelly... What possible reason would she have to send a SIX yr. old child in to pay for gas? Laziness. I am certainly glad the child is alright...this time anyway. The mother needs to be charged with felony child endangerment. There are too many people in cars doing everything but driving responsibly. They're eating, drinking, lighting cigs, dancing in their seats to music, talking on the cellphone. Never, never trust that people will be doing what they're supposed to be doing! That's how this stuff happens. Grow up? Try get real. Come down off your high horse and look around at how people really act nowadays, take due notice and govern yourself accordingly.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Mom was probably to lazy to go in herself so she sent her little child. Lazy people use there children to fetch things for them instead of doing it themselves.
Posted by: Sam on May 14, 2008 at 03:09 PM
There's nothing wrong with letting a six year old pay for gas. It does depend on the child...for those of you who say you wouldn't do it - maybe your child isn't capable and you're doing the right thing. I've let my children pay before. I give them clear and direct instructions and make sure I can view them at all times. There are some gas stations where I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this though. The driver has to accept some responsibility for this. You should be looking for pedestrians while driving through a gas station.
Posted by: your wrong on May 14, 2008 at 02:33 PM
to just a question. The driver never admitted not paying attention, she stated she didnt see her, that doesnt make her not paying attention. Read the facts. I dont know anyone involved, but this could have be avoided if the parent was watching her kid. As for watching an 11 year old you stated. Mine is 10 and yes I do watch her every second, and I would never let her go 1-2 blocks by herself, or by a candy bar. I have never once let her go in a store by herself nor ever left her in a car, so you might do it, but there are others who doesnt.
Posted by: concerned parent on May 14, 2008 at 01:52 PM
To anon....Can't you read it was a 6 yr. old not a 6th grade student......a big difference......
Posted by: Just a question on May 14, 2008 at 01:39 PM
TO Anon. @ 11:35 AM. Would you allow your 11 yo to purchase a candy bar by him/her self? Let me see. An 11yo is in 7th grade (6th if you held them back or started late). OK. YEAH RIGHT! Do you walk you kid to their neighbor's house a block or 2 away? Do you still watch every move they make? I highly doubt it. Guess what, SAFETY PATROL is for 10 and 11 year olds in school. I personally pay for all my gas at the pump. This accident could have happened even if Mom had been there. The driver admitted not paying attention and is just as much at fault for not looking out for others in the lot. What if they had gone in together and the girl came out of the store first before the mom? I have a 7yo who I took into the store with me and he used to not pay attention either and I would have to yell and remind him. He is a child. The drivers need to pay better attention. All the precautions in the world still won't keep some accidents from happening.
Posted by: Kelly on May 14, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Im sure she had a reason for sending her daughter into the store to pay for the gas and Im sure she will think twice next time but there is no need to make such horrible comment anout this women Im sure she has been through enough!
Posted by: let us on May 14, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Lets all thank GOD the child was not killed and quit judging other people, I only wished I could be as perfect as some of the parents that left comments here! Grwo up people and start saying a prayer, who knows it may take that negative attitude away!!
Posted by: charge the mother on May 14, 2008 at 12:25 PM
the mother sent her 6 year old to pay for gas? How stupid was that. Charge her with neglect and child endangerment. I wouldn't send my 11 year old to pay for gas anywhere.
Posted by: Beth on May 14, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Thank God they are okay. An accident is so easy to happen, and as a mother of a six year old, this is my biggest fear.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 11:51 AM
when my daughter was little, the Ona youth cheerleading league would have them collect at the Fudges Creek Exxon. I always thought that was a terrible idea for just that reason.
Posted by: Sarah on May 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Why in the world would a parent send a 6 year old child into a store by themselves to pay for gasoline? How freakin lazy was this parent? There should be charges filed against the parent for being an idiot!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Who on earth would allow their 6 yr old to go into a store alone to pay for gas? I won't allow my 11 yr old to do that!
Posted by: mary on May 14, 2008 at 10:52 AM
is the girl going to be ok !
Posted by: concerned parent on May 14, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Why would a 6 yr. old be going in the gas station by herself to pay for gas?
Posted by: Beth on May 14, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I am glad this little girl is going to be alright, but 6 years old is a little young to be going in and paying for gas herself.
Posted by: Tim on May 14, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Thank god shes ok.
Posted by: dawn on May 14, 2008 at 10:08 AM
What is the matter? Was "Mom" too lazy to go in and pay for the gas herself?
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