A mom left a note on her car window that read, “My baby is OK. He has his snacks and his drink!!! I’m in Target. Be back soon!!” What followed was an explosion of outrage online—but there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
Let’s backtrack for a second. Most of us know why leaving a child (or even a pet) in a locked car is a huge no-no. The risks are terrifying: heatstroke, injury, or worse, harm from someone breaking in. This is not a subject people take lightly—and for good reason.
So, when influencer Bonnie Engle posted a video of this seemingly careless act, people understandably lost their cool. Many commenters slammed her for mocking such a serious issue. “This is so tasteless,” one person wrote. Another added, “Let’s make a video about one of the leading causes of infant deaths—for likes. Just awful.”
But here’s the twist: the “baby” in question wasn’t a baby at all. It was her husband.
The video pans to the passenger seat, revealing her husband happily munching on popcorn with a cup of coffee in hand. It was all meant to be a joke—a lighthearted prank to make her followers laugh. But the reaction wasn’t what Bonnie expected.
Some people saw the humor. One person quipped, “Totally judging you for not hiring a babysitter for this ‘baby!’” Another admitted, “I was about to get mad, but I didn’t see that coming!”
As temps rise this week across the state, DPS is reminding everyone – NEVER leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Temperatures inside can reach deadly levels in minutes.
— SCDPS (@theSCDPS) June 27, 2023
Hot car deaths are 100% preventable. Take time to check the back seat before you lock up. #LookBeforeYouLock pic.twitter.com/OJHpqPIog9
Still, the backlash was loud. And for many, the topic wasn’t funny in any context. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports over 940 children have died from heatstroke in cars over the past 25 years. Hot car deaths are preventable tragedies, but they happen all too often.
A car’s interior can heat up at a deadly pace. Children’s bodies heat up 3–5 times faster than adults, meaning they’re at risk much sooner. By the time their core temperature reaches 107 degrees, the situation turns fatal. Even cracking the windows won’t make enough of a difference.
While Bonnie’s prank didn’t involve an actual child, the video struck a nerve. Hot car deaths are no laughing matter, and for many, it’s a subject too serious for jokes.
What’s your take? Did this prank cross the line, or is it harmless fun? Share your thoughts in the comments—and maybe think twice before leaving any notes on your own car windows!
