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A baby’s life is simple, but the parents’ life?  Not so simple.

Especially at pick up time!

“When you are inside you are going through all the motions of, ‘Did I sign him out? Do I have all his bottles? Do I have all his clothes?’, “ said Laura Church.

Laura Church

KHOU-TV

It’s what’s been happening outside that’s got everyone’s attention now, especially on rainy days

“I certainly wouldn’t if I was a purse thief, go out in the pouring down rain to go and steal purses. I wouldn’t think of it. But whoever thought of it is probably cashing in big time,” said Tina Borja, Esperanza School.

You don’t have to tell that to Church

“I’m in there no more than five minutes and come back and notice that my purse and my breast pump are gone,” said Church.

It was one of at least nine thefts from cars parked outside day care centers just in this neighborhood, in recent weeks.

Church knows exactly how she became a victim.

“You are distracted. There is a lot of emotion going all at once. It’s easy to understand that people get distracted and forget to lock their doors,” Church said.

Police say it is happening all over the city.

We called 10 daycare facilities around town and nine of them said similar incidents have occurred there in the last year.

“There are people out there and when they see that opportunity they will seize that opportunity,” said Lt. Dwayne Ready, HPD.

In fact, police think it likely happens significantly more than they ever know because many people do not report the crime.

It’s a tough lesson to learn, but Church is making some changes.

“I do lock the car now and I am very aware of all the cars that are around when I park,” she said.

After all, pick up time should always be all smiles.