Levine Children's Hospital doctors warn about children not wearing seat belts

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte doctors are warning parents about a dangerous surge in treating children involved in car crashes who weren't wearing seat belts.

The numbers are staggering. In just the last several weeks, the Pediatric Emergency Department at Levine Children's Hospital says 34 percent of all car crash patients it treated weren't wearing seat belts.

One of those horrific crashes was just on Monday night. Gianni Espinoza, 6, died in a crash on Independence Boulevard, after two women got into an argument inside a car.

The boy wasn't buckled up. Janae Harrison said she can't imagine putting her daughter, 9-month-old Chloe, at risk.

"You birthed them, so take care of them. Protect them. Buckle them in,” Harrison said.

Doctor J.R. Young said these cases stick in his mind. He said the car restrictions are clear.

Children up until the age of 12 should be in the back seat, wearing seat belts.

Kids 0 to 2 should be in a rear-facing car seat, and they can be forward-facing in the car seat from two to 5 years old.

He said kids should transition to a booster seat at five.

Young said even if kids are putting up a fight about wearing a seat belt, parents can't give in.

"It's always worth taking the extra moment to make sure the child is properly restrained or putting up with the crying and the yelling," he said.

"Who's the parent? asked Harrison. "It doesn't matter. She screams. She's 9 months old. She doesn't know any better. She still has to stay bucked in. It's not an option."

CMPD is sponsoring a child safety seat check on Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Freedom Division Office on Wilkinson Boulevard.

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