A photo was taken outside a supermarket, showing the baby wrapped in a blanket in a car seat, with a note on the blanket saying to call if there are any issues, with a mobile number.
A man who saw the note told the New Zealand Herald: “It was written from the baby’s perspective, and it said, ‘My mum’s in doing the shopping, call her if I need anything’, and it had the cellphone number. We waited there for a little bit, wondering if the mum was just going to be two seconds and come back. And my wife said, ‘I’m not going in without someone being here with the baby’,”
The picture was posted on radio personality Polly Gillespie’s Facebook page, triggering fury among some who saw it.
Cat Marie Horne wrote: “I’m sorry this is completely irresponsible! You do not leave children under the age of 14 unsupervised at all.
“Why did she have time to write a note?? Secondly, you do not put a capsule seat in the front of a car, due to dashboard airbags. Also, if you are that tired you should not be driving.”
It is illegal for a parent or guardian in New Zealand to leave a child under the age of 14 alone for an unreasonable time or in unreasonable conditions.