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TODDLER LEFT BEHIND AT AIRPORT!!

I saw this article this morning... As a parent this is unimaginable to me but some days I feel like things are so crazy that something like this could happen to anyone. What do you think?

An Israeli couple going on a European vacation remembered to take their duty-free purchases and their 18 suitcases, but forgot their 3-year-old daughter at the airport, police said Monday.

The couple and their five children were late for a charter flight to Paris Sunday and made a mad dash to the gate. In the confusion, their daughter got lost.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a policeman found her wandering in the duty-free area at Ben-Gurion airport, Israel's bustling main international air portal. He said the officer alerted airline staff, but the flight had already taken off.

The incident happened on what Israeli media said was one of the busiest days of the year at the Israeli airport, with thousands of people leaving for summer vacations abroad. The Haaretz newspaper reported that 2.6 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport in July and August, an increase of 12 percent compared to the same period last year.

Israeli media said the parents of the forgotten girl were an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple but did not give their names.

Rosenfeld said the parents were unaware they had boarded the aircraft with only four children instead of five until they were informed by cabin staff after 40 minutes in the air.

Posted: August 8, 2008
By: MamaKels

33 Replies Post Your Reply
OMG...there was an incident whereas my husband and I (and our seven kids) were out with another family (with six kids themselves) at a Chuck E Cheese and we left our son there (he was 13 and was so wrapped in his video games he didn't hear us tell him it was time to go) and didn't realize till we were almost home. I felt like the worst parent in the world -but I don't know..I think I would notice one of my children not on a plane with me, at least once I had them all seated at take-off or something...craziness...I'm sure they feel horrible about the whole thing, I can't even imagine.

admsfmlywmn | September 15, 2008 | reply


oh no, this is terrible! Let's just be thankful that everyone wasokay in the end, and reunited (I assume)

Kenzie | September 8, 2008 | reply


exactly

Ninayama | September 9, 2008 | reply


wow, what would you have done if you realized your kid wasn't with you on the plane? how could you sit through the rest of the flight without going crazy!?!

ItsTuckerTime | August 29, 2008 | reply


I would have probably gone crazy and tried to demand they turn the plane around and go right back where they came from!!

CRami53 | September 2, 2008 | reply


I cant even imagine how scared I would have been to be the parents when they found out - not knowing where my child was... roaming around an airport alone.. how freaky

HeatherN | August 28, 2008 | reply


International travel can fry your brain!?!?!? But, I would think that they would have noticed an empty seat earlier than when the steward notified them. But I have to cut them a little slack - international travel, 5 children, 18 bags...that's tough. I'm sure they were pretty upset when they figured it out.

hilgirl | August 26, 2008 | reply


I'm sure they were extremely upset and worried - but if you can count up to 18 bags, why cant you could up to 5 kids? haha

DaniD | August 27, 2008 | reply


I can totally see how kids get lost a the airport, but I can't see how parents just decide to get on the airplane anyway!

ReneeAndKyle | August 26, 2008 | reply


ditto to everyone - wow! terrible! poor child.

LambLady | August 25, 2008 | reply


some people should not be allowed to be parents

DarcyM | August 20, 2008 | reply


I agree!

KathyGB | August 22, 2008 | reply


amen.

CamyMom | August 21, 2008 | reply


I could understand how you may lose sight of her, but forget her altogether? And not notice once you've boarded the flight and things have calmed down?

serephena | August 19, 2008 | reply


Wow! I can't believe this would happen... how do you forget about a kid... a bag is one thing.. but a KID?

jarnold | August 18, 2008 | reply


no kidding.

harmonyK | September 3, 2008 | reply


I can't believe this... how do you forget your child?!

KathyGB | August 18, 2008 | reply


Head Count! Hello?!

DaniD | August 14, 2008 | reply


I understand that days can be hectic and crazy, but there is just no excuse! i can see forgetting luggage, but your child? that's insane!

-Ashley

www.la-babycakes.com

lababycakes | August 12, 2008 | reply


this is completely unforgivable.

CRami53 | August 11, 2008 | reply


While I can understand being busy, I cannot understand FORGETTING YOUR CHILD. No matter where we are, or if it is us, or we are with other families, I do a frequent kid count. Beach, store, parking lot. I can't imagine my life being so busy I would forget my 3 year old at an airport.

rnmomof3 | August 11, 2008 | reply


c

bdilley | August 18, 2008 | reply


agreed!

bdilley | August 18, 2008 | reply


i /agree

bdilley | August 18, 2008 | reply


bdilley | August 18, 2008 | reply


...and not even realize until the crew of the airplane points it out 40 minutes later!

joeb | August 11, 2008 | reply


bdilley | August 18, 2008 | reply


wasnt there an empty seat by them? how did they not notice?!

HelsNests | August 8, 2008 | reply


good question

bdilley | August 18, 2008 | reply


the poor little girl must have been SO scared. they didnt even tell how they reunited her with her family!

Mendezita | August 8, 2008 | reply


wow! To be totally honest, I can see how this would happen. Airports are stressful even without 5 kids and 18 suitcases. It's not OK... but I can definitely imagine that a kid could get lost at the airport very easily. Especially if it was the busiest day of the year

Ninayama | August 8, 2008 | reply


when you have a lot of kids, you should be used to having to count everyone and see that everyone's together. this is terrible.

LandisMom | August 8, 2008 | reply


omigosh! how terrible. it's like home alone come to real life. first of all... why did they have 18 suitcases. Second... how do you not double check to see if your kids are with you!?!!

MellyMel | August 8, 2008 | reply


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