That may be the case in Ohio. As I mentioned, that is NOT the case here in CA.
Since the OP is in CA her actions are subject to CA law which has this particular offense as an infraction. Priors or aggravating circumstances could result in further investigation by CPS, but it is not even a misdemeanor, on its face.Furthermore, at least in this state, it is a crime to step away from a car with a child left within it that is not able to self-protect. You can be five feet away and that is a crime in this state.
It is what it is. We don't write the law, we just have to enforce it. But, from a practical perspective, CPS out here lacks the resources to actively investigate every case of a child left unattended at home or elsewhere for a few minutes. Absent any harm or real threat of harm to the child in such a case of being left in the car, or prior CPS is unlikely to actively investigate. It's a simple matter of resources. With bitter custody hearings and dueling accusations of neglect and abuse, CPS would have to develop an increased number of rapid response teams to possibly investigate all the accusations of neglect that fly about in such matters.That is pathetic quite frankly.

