The judge should have just dismissed this insane, heavy handed government response to a simple human problem instead of shuffling it upstairs for another colossal waste of time in another court system. I guess I was just hoping for common sense to prevail.

If common sense prevailed she WOULD NOT have left her infants in an unlocked, unattended car!

FYI my friend was in CVS at the time the computers were down in Radburn and she was told be the CVS staff to go to another pharmacy or else will be waiting for a long timecould have been hours and she then stated she was in "NO HURRY" and choose to wait!!! All the court has to do is verify and pull the video, This girl is going to do time...that's why it went to a higher court!!! She is not realizing THE TRUTH IS COMING OUT!

Natalie is a respectable, community active, and very cautious mother. Licensed in multiple states as an educator and therapist, Natalie is fully aware of child safety and proper guidelines that prevent any harm to children. Raising honor roll kids, that are well rounded in and out of the classroom, she has devoted her whole life to educating, nurturing, and rearing children in a healthy and proactive environment. The insinuation that she's not a competent mother is downright silly. She's got nothing more to prove. Instead of fair lawn police arresting criminals, they waste their time on handcuffing and secluding a good, hard working sumatitan into solitary confinement. This is the only time I hope for fair lawn to see some real crime, so that they can stop intruding and making a mockery out of community active, hard working, tax paying citizens.

And fl mom, your source needs to get that broom out of her rear end, and find a damn job! Lurking in the Cvs parking lot in the middle of the day, gossiping with third hand clerks, doesn't render their judgement. Natalie was picking up prescriptions for a very serious ear infection-- one that could've been fatal if not treated quickly. She's an educated mother, who has successfully raised 5 children, and remains an influence for any aspiring educator and therapist. What has your friend amounted to? Holding a latte, reading her national enquirer, reading crappy diet plans while brainlessly having meaningless gossip with some Cvs clerk?! There should be an IQ minimum to comment here.

Educator or not, this woman lacks good judgement. I dont believe she should be put in jail but surely there is a need for supervision of her and a closer look into the care of her children.

there drive thru CVS, so I am not sure why she didn't go to one of them. I live in Fair Lawn and go to the one on RT4 it doesn't take that much longer and then a new one recently opened on River Road. I have 2 kids and would never leave them in a parking lot unattended. I don't want to see her go to prison, but she does need to understand there were other options and there do need to be reprecussions. Something serious really could have happened.

As a mother I understand what she is going through, there was lack of judgement, yes, but she is not a criminal and we live in a safe neighborhood. Having infants, let alone twins, sick, coming from the drs office, having to get the sick child off the car with the sibling, put them in a double stroller, strap them, maybe one of them or both were asleep ...it's hard, and who knows how tired this mom was. So, passing judgement on someone that just made a mistake is unfair and hateful. Fl mom, go get a real job and a life, mind your business , this is not a superior court's case.

ANA...there is NO excuse

John Smith,
Do you realize that the Police have to act when they are sent on calls. They just can't walk away. Maybe the penalty is a little stiff, but they are doing their job. And as far as them arresting real criminals, they do every day. Do you remember in 2010 when the Officer was almost ran over by 2 females committing a crime at Walgreens. Do you remember in 2003 when a Police officer was killed trying to arrest a criminal wh committed a crime. You shouldn't wish to see real crimes occur in Fair Lawn. Maybe you open your eyes a little wider. It happens every day in Fair lawn. They are just doing their jobs.

Good Advice for that mother next time, which I think shouldn't go to prison, but should be punished somehow for a mistake that could have been fatal: Go to the new CVS on Maple and River next time, they have a drive thru.

FYI.. The doctor can fax or phone a prescription, she just needed to ask. She could then pick it up @ one of Fair Lawn's two drive through pharmacies. Or ask someone to do it for her. I would expect better critical thinking skills in a mother described as multiply licensed, certified and experienced. And by the way, the police don't make the laws or pass the sentence. That's what the courts are for. They don't know she is the world class mother described when they respond to an unattended , improperly parked car with two kids inside. What if the minivan had rolled over another child?
If the police let her go, and the children later came to harm, th police would be castigated. No, Fair Lawn is not Fort Apache. I've lived here since 1987. A car jacking or a child abduction can happen anywhere. And children frying to death in closed cars nationwide remains a problem.....And while we're on the topic of child passenger safety: The guy whose kid jumped out of the car and ran toward the Raritan River this week OBVIOUSLY did not have the child safety locks in use on the passenger doors. If he had, his car wouldn't have ended up in the river. Caregivers need to READ the Car seat and the vehicle owners manuals. The courts should require that parents in these situations attend Infant and Child Safety Classes that are given at hospitals. It seems as though those providing care for other peoples' kids also need education!

Fair lawn is a safe place. That is because of the good job our police officers do. It is not for apache but it is also not Mayberry. All I'm saying is that the police can't not look the other way in certain types of calls. I agree with Wendy. Police don't make the laws. The maximum penalty is very stiff and she should not receive that even if she is found guilty. But something should be done. This could have ended up very badly.

Goober died a few weeks ago.

In any case, the incident provides a teachable moment for everyone who hears about it. Laws and ordinances are not all about enforcement and penalties.... they provide a heads up to people about activities that might be harmful to themselves and others. Laws are necessary because people are often self absorbed, but not self aware. PS, you have misspelled 'interesting.'

CVS on Broadway has a drive thru...Would have been a better choice, prescriptions can be transferred.. Walgreens on River Road also has a drive thru..She made a very bad judgement, I don't think she deserves jail time though..

Whether or not this woman is educated, etc. doesn't matter. There are lots of "book smart" people with NO COMMON SENSE, which seems to be this woman's short-coming. I raised two children and there were many times that they had severe ear infections. I made many trips to the pharmacy and had no choice but to bring my children in with me. I NEVER left either one unattended ANYWHERE for ANY reason. Particularly in this day and age this "educated"woman should have known better that leaving those innocent babies in an unattended vehicle is considered child endangerment. I don't know about jail time, though. Perhaps she should be fined and make a donation to a worthy cause for children.

Many of the posters here are missing the point. No matter who she is, the fact is that each case has to stand on its own merits in terms of how it is handled. "Momentary lapse of judgement" sounds like a nice term but it belies what actually happened. Correct me if i am wrong, but a modern car cannot remain in neutral with the key removed. So the key was probably in the car. Perhaps not, and that would be one less problem for sure. But there is NEVER an excuse to leave a child unattended in a vehicle even for a minute. How many kidnappings occur because a kidnapper looked for that "just a minute" opportunity. How many carjackings occur because of the opportunity presented to the criminal. Also, here, the very reason that a vehicle should not be left unattended like this actually occurred! Namely, it rolled into the street!! God forbid had this resulted in major damage, injury or death everyone would be up in arms and reacting very differently. And although it did not, it could have. And that is the message that must be sent loud and clear. It only takes a minute for a tragedy to occur. So please, all you apologists for her, stop trying to minimize the stupidity by lauding her other attirbutes. Stop blaming the police, as if they made the even occur. They did the correct thing by arresting her and then getting to the bottom of this. Do I thnk she should get jail time-no I do not. Should she get psychiatric evaluation? Yes just to make sure.

It's amazing that the law provides stricter pentalties for a mom who makes a mistake than pedophiles.

A thousand dollar fine for each child in the car, and a thousand hours of community service, to be completed in the next five years, or six month's in jail, and five thousand dollar fine! Make your choice!! Anymore child endangerment complaints, and she looses the children for good!!

I'm sure that all of you posting here have never made a mistake in parenting, done the wrong thing or even something stupid. We are all quick to judge but if you were the one who made the mistake, you too would be hoping for leniency.

Fortunately, for Natalie Akserod none if you will be the Judge assigned to hear her case. I do not thaink the police did anything wrong they charged her based in their evaluation of the situation. However, she will not go to jail and case should be handled with fairness and understanding. Every case stands on its own facts. She may face some form of penalty but she should not be treated like a criminal because she is not a criminal. She is a woman who momentarily failed to exercise common sense. What she may receive is a diversionary program like pre trial interventiin if the prosecutor chooses not to downgrade the charge to a misdemeanor and send it back to Fair Lawn. I doubt she would ever make such a mistake again.

Too bad I never proof read this stuff before it posts.

I like her hat, fuitcake!