UAE | Crime

‘Baby snatch’ parents face charges

Couple charged with neglect after baby is snatched when their car is stolen

By Aghaddir Ali, Staff Reporter
Published: 21:20 August 30, 2012

Image Credit: Courtesy: Sharjah Police
‘Never we will do this matter again or leave one of our daughters alone in the car,’ Ehsan said.

Sharjah: The parents at the centre of the seven-hour Sharjah baby snatch drama have been charged with neglect. Sharjah Police confirmed the move on Thursday after registering a case against the parents of Lailas Ehssan.

The child was taken earlier this month when her parents’ car was stolen from a petrol station in Industrial Area 6 in Sharjah.

They left her in the back seat of their white Toyota Prado, with the engine still running in the unlocked car, as they went inside the station.

Within minutes a thief got behind the wheel and sped off, taking Syrian Mohammad Ehssan’s baby daughter with the car.

By 1am, Sharjah Police posted pleas on their Twitter and Facebook pages, asking for help to find the child, releasing the make, model and registration of the car.

The child was only returned after heroic Ebrahim Ahmad Al Shamsi responded to the online police appeals and went searching for the baby in his car.

Comments (5)

Added 17:30 August 31, 2012

I feel it is fair to the child that her parents face charges. It pains to see so many parents neglecting their children, be it a little. The other day we witnessed a woman in the food court with her friends and her baby. The baby mistakenly fell down the table, and the woman was so embarrassed in front of her friends. Instead of consoling the baby, she was laughing with her friends in embarrassment. Some parents do need the law to teach them parenting. May Allah SWT protect us all from such situations, from an ordeal greater than what we can bear.

Sidra, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:49 August 31, 2012

They have learnt their lesson. No need to condemn them any further. the law is taking good measures to make sure this kind of silly mistake is not repeated again. How would you feel if someone takes away your kids from you just because you made a mistake with them? be in their shoes! They have apologised to the public and authorities - That is enough. To Parents of lailas; Be more careful with the gift that God has given you, so many men and women desire to have such kids, they have spent money to get kids, but all in vain. God has honoured you with two girsl, appreciate the gift and you will be blessed as they grow up with you.

Monique, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:25 August 31, 2012

I thank the authorities for taking this step and charging these parents. Some people just don't learn the meaning of safety until they are punished in some way or another.

Amer, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:48 August 31, 2012

This is the best action. This will set an example for all those careless. Too many cases of people leaving kids in the car. Authorities give warning every time, but no one listens. They deserve it.

Abdullah, DUbai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:07 August 31, 2012

Being a Syrian, I do feel relieved that their baby is ok, but their neglect had caused a big stir in Sharjah, it had consumed so much of the authorities valuable time and effort because of their irresponsible mistake. Many times the authorities have warned people not to leave their cars on. These irresponsible parents left their child, thus proving that they do not care for the law or for the child, and faced this dilema, which, could have ended much worse if not for the heroic actions of the citizen who saved her and of the authorities. The partents are not worthy to have children and should be punished within the law, I think that their children should be handed over to child protection services for their own safety.

Tamam Elewi, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates