Mom leaves 2 daughters on the side of the road

[dutchessj]

 Do you think she should be charged? I remember my mom making the threat to the 3 of us girls, but she never actually did it.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (April 21) - Usually, it's an empty threat: "If you kids don't stop fighting, I'm going to stop this car right now and leave you here!"

But a mother from an upper-crust New York suburb went through with it, ordering her battling 10- and 12-year-old daughters out of her car in White Plains' business district and driving off, police said Tuesday.

Madlyn Primoff, 45, a partner in a Manhattan law firm, pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of endangering a child. A temporary order of protection was issued, barring her from contact with the children, who were physically unharmed.

Primoff's lawyer, Vincent Briccetti, would not comment Tuesday on details of the case. But he said, "Madlyn is a great mother connected with a great family, and she is grateful for the outpouring of support from friends and family."

There wasn't much support from strangers, however. Mothers interviewed near the scene said they couldn't imagine doing what Primoff did, though some understood the urge.

Iris Gorodess, 49, of Mahopac, who has four children ranging from 10 to 19 years old, said she sympathized with Primoff's actions, right up to the point where she pulled away.

"I used to pull over and make the kids change seats. Also, I make sure the kids have their iPods and their games. And I have a minivan, so they're not up my neck all the time.

"But I can't see pulling away. That has to be too scary for the children."

White Plains police said Primoff ordered the arguing girls out of the car Sunday evening as they were driving home. She left them at Post Road and South Broadway, an area of shops and offices 3 miles from their home, then drove off, the police report said.

The report does not say whether the girls had cell phones.

Police would not say if Primoff ever returned to look for the girls, but they said, without explaining how, that the 12-year-old eventually caught up with the mother. The 10-year-old was found by a "Good Samaritan" on the street, upset and emotional about losing her mother, police said.

The girl gave police her mother's name and their address in well-to-do Scarsdale, and they asked Scarsdale police to check Primoff's $2 million house. Shortly afterward, Primoff called Scarsdale police from home to say the 10-year-old was missing, said Scarsdale Detective Lt. Bryant Clark.

He directed her to White Plains police headquarters, where she was arrested.

Dr. Richard Gersh, director of psychiatric services at the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services in Manhattan, said Primoff's behavior was not appropriate.

"It is a traumatic situation for a child to be abandoned by a parent like that. You can imagine what emotional issues might arise," he said.

[WImom2]

Just another example of a moron.

[morningdove831]

Yes, she should be charged!!  That is just unspeakable.  While every mom has the urge to do just that, following through is just horrible.  I can't imagine doing that to my son ...

[PamR]

I understand the mom's pain, being the mother of two girls myself.  Yes, I've threatened it but haven't actually done it.  I wouldn't put them out 3 miles from home, in the evening when it's getting dark.  That is dangerous.  Maybe just down the street from home.  :)  No, I don't think the mother should be charged.  It wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I don't think it warrants an arrest and court case.

[othermom]

I might kick the kids out of the car till they stop but not leave them.  But really if it was not to far from home, I don't really see any reason why they can't walk during the day, we live in a small town though.

[cdgoldilocks]

If this woman were not wealthy, we would not even be hearing about this. The woman would be charged, tried, convicted. She would have to take parenting classes and all that jazz. She should not serve jail time, nor should any stressed out mom who needs some help. I have less sympathy for this woman than I would the "average" woman. This woman lives in a 2 million dollar home. If she is overwhelmed with two hormonal girls, she can hire someone to watch them while she goes and gets a massage. I think she could have simply ignored their asses until she got home, then banished them to their rooms. Unlike most mothers in this economy, she has resources available to give her a break.

 

[dutchessj]

Quoting PamR:

I understand the mom's pain, being the mother of two girls myself.  Yes, I've threatened it but haven't actually done it.  I wouldn't put them out 3 miles from home, in the evening when it's getting dark.  That is dangerous.  Maybe just down the street from home.  :)  No, I don't think the mother should be charged.  It wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I don't think it warrants an arrest and court case.

I agree. Make her do parenting classes or something. I was always told never make a threat you arent ready to follow thru with. I doubt the kids will argue again in the car with their mom but I also doubt if they do she will put them out. I think not being able to find the 10 yr old scared her and made her realize she did a stupid thing.

[CharmaineL]

Quoting cdgoldilocks:

If this woman were not wealthy, we would not even be hearing about this. The woman would be charged, tried, convicted. She would have to take parenting classes and all that jazz. She should not serve jail time, nor should any stressed out mom who needs some help. I have less sympathy for this woman than I would the "average" woman. This woman lives in a 2 million dollar home. If she is overwhelmed with two hormonal girls, she can hire someone to watch them while she goes and gets a massage. I think she could have simply ignored their asses until she got home, then banished them to their rooms. Unlike most mothers in this economy, she has resources available to give her a break.

Yes, agree totally. She should get a full-time nanny if she needs a break or maybe schedule their day so that they have lots of things to do (e.g. tennis lessons, dance, piano, etc.) Kids can be overwhelming, but leaving them alone like that is irresponsible. 

[athenax3]

I'm sorry, I know it's wrong, but I can't stop laughing at the thought of my kids faces if I actually DID this....lmao....they would never mess with me in the car again- it might be worth some parenting classes and the fine, just for the years of peace while chauffeuring.

This woman lost her temper and did something foolish and rash- no doubt, but not jail worthy- maybe some counseling or parenting classes but otherwise it's pretty minor in a world where kids are beaten, starved and REALLY abandoned every minute of the day.

[Godgaveme4]

I remember my dad pulling over and kicking me and my brother to the curb because we kept fighting.  We were about a mile from our home and we had to walk the rest of the way. Iwas probably 11 or 12 and my brother was 10 or 11.  I remember being really mad but definitely learned my lesson.

[tericared]

With all the freaking nut jobs out there she is very lucky she got to see her kids again. Yes she should be charged, for goodness sakes...