I was there at the time, and was notified by another patron as I was leaving that he heard a baby crying in the white van. I walked over to the van with him and sure enough, there was a baby crying. All windows were shut and doors were locked, so we walked back in and told the circulation desk, and they made an announcement. However, as we walked back to the exit , there was a large group of people, mostly mothers and young children, listening to a musical production in a separate room ...we didn't think they heard the announcement so we stepped in and the other guy said aloud that there is a baby in a van outside. One of the ladies in the room (presumably a library employee) said she would "take care of it" ...seemingly more concerned about us "disturbing" their event than with details of what was an urgent matter. We walked back to the van and a few moments later this lady in the black dress came walking, not running, out...
By that time two library employees also were outside, and one of them was trying to get me and the other guy to "move on" ...seemingly more concerned about us disturbing the peace than a baby in a van on a warm, not hot, day (but they say babies bodies warm up x3 quicker than adults; among other things).The lady opened the van door and reached in...at no time did we ever see the baby, nor did the library employees see the baby. She said aloud that the baby is okay but nobody ever verified it. The library employees didn't even take down her name or any details. They wanted us to "move on" as if it was over.
The other guy left but I hung around for a while, a little further away so that the library guy wouldn't become aggressive towards me. I took a few photos as she was by the van waiting for the rest of her group. Then I called the police, gave them the license plate number...and the police responded...and went to the residential address...apparently a paramedics too (i found out later). But they told the police that an adult was with the baby at all times in the van (definitely not true). I also called social services.
The other guy left but I hung around for a while, a little further away so that the library guy wouldn't become aggressive towards me. I took a few photos as she was by the van waiting for the rest of her group. Then I called the police, gave them the license plate number...and the police responded...and went to the residential address...apparently a paramedics too (i found out later). But they told the police that an adult was with the baby at all times in the van (definitely not true). I also called social services.
The next day i was told they are initiating an investigation and probably prosecution into the matter and I was asked to write a "declaration" of what I observed (which I subsequently have done). I am not interested in getting somebody in trouble for trouble sake but it seemed rather careless if not negligent for them to leave a baby in the van, and later lie about it to the police officer.
