Dad who left toddler in car had 'forgotten baby syndrome'
The Sydney father who accidentally left his young son in a car for three hours will not be charged, after police determined it was an honest mistake.
While police have accepted there was no malicious intent, psychologists say it could happen to any parent - there's even a term for it: "forgotten baby syndrome".
The three-year-old was locked in the Neutral Bay family's Kia Carnival for three hours on Thursday morning.
Neighbours spotted the youngster in the car and raised the alarm after Richard Ligault accidentally left him behind that morning.
Officers broke the window of the car to rescue the toddler, who was found dehydrated and visibly distressed inside, about 11.15am.
Fortunately for the family, Mr Ligault and his little boy arrived home safe and well last night, following a day they'd much rather forget.
There's more relief for the family, with Chatswood Police on Friday telling 7 News they would not be laying any charges.
After investigating, police accepted this was an honest mistake, one that thankfully ended well.
Following investigations, police returned the family car which had earlier been impounded.
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Clinical psychologist Dr Gary Banks told 7 News the simple mistake was not so uncommon.
“Honest mistakes occur, but so do tragedies.
"The child's obviously fallen asleep and they're on a habit-based procedure and they forgot to drop their child off and actually just forgot.”
He said changing habit-based behaviour and looking before you lock could save lives.
Since October, the NRMA rescued 581 children and 437 pets from locked cars in New South Wales and the ACT alone.
During Thursday's soaring temperatures, 10 children were reportedly rescued from hot cars across the country.
On the same day, an incident in Perth showed just how deadly hot cars can be, when a dog died after he was left in a hot car for hours.
