Kids Towed with Car; Family Sues

In this story from the Omaha World-Herald, four children who were left in a car were towed while still in the car in December 2003. According to the article, the family filed a lawsuit against Heartland Towing early this December. Here's an account of what happened:

The Dorseys parked their 1999 Ford Taurus at a meter outside the Douglas County Courthouse, near 19th and Farnam Streets.

They went to court, leaving the children, including a 12-year-old, in the car.

The problem: The meter had a sign indicating vehicles would be towed between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Some meters are marked with those signs to keep traffic lanes clear during rush hour.

About 4:15 p.m., a City of Omaha meter reader put a tow tag on the Taurus and called Heartland, which has a contract to tow cars for the city.

Evidently, the meter reader did not note any children in the vehicle and the tow truck driver did not hear any children. Read the full story here.