An Illinois couple faces first-degree murder charges after they left their baby to die strapped in a car seat inside its crib. This wasn’t for thirty minutes, but for eight days. What were they so busy doing? Apparently playing video games and watching television.

Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons said that while the baby wasted away in its own waste the couple was “playing video games, watching TV, feeding and caring for themselves.” There is something disturbing about this quote. For one, the question arises of how did the police find out exactly what the two were doing? Did they admit to this as their activity during the time they let their infant die? Also, how can one simply ignore a baby for eight days? It’s not too uncommon to hear of parents who leave their child unattended for several hours while they doze off, but eight days? At no point did they consider this baby in the other room?

The answer is likely that they did, and simply chose to ignore it. A firm shutting of the door and some loud music can surely drown out most of a baby’s cries. While it is not noted in the coverage of the case, one would almost have to assume drugs were involved in some manner. Still, even if one is so callous as to not care for a child, how many people could seriously play a video game while they knew a baby was dying in the next room? Even the worst trolls of gaming message boards surely rise about such levels, right? Whatever the real cause of such actions, most will be relieved to hear that the other child living in the home is currently out of the couple’s care (or lack thereof) and the state is seeking permanent removal.

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