People who attempt suicide are not write offs.

[JimC]

Seth wrote:

Thus, if I had failed to act and the girl had fallen, I could have been held criminally liable.

Perhaps technically possible, but highly unlikely. The prosecution would fall heavily on the actions of the father, and your important role would have been as a witness.

[mistermack]

Although seldom enforced, the law burdens ALL adults with this duty, so if you are driving along and see a toddler wandering into the street, you have a legal duty to stop and keep that child safe. Technically, if you just drive by, you have committed a crime. Thus, if I had failed to act and the girl had fallen, I could have been held criminally liable.

You might be right, but I've never heard of that law.
In any case, in the good old USA, it would depend if you were black or white, as to whether you committed an offence.

The family might be using the toddler as bait, and when you stop, they stick a gun up your nose. A white man could argue self-preservation in not stopping.

Of course, a black man deserves all he gets.

[Seth]

Seth wrote:

Thus, if I had failed to act and the girl had fallen, I could have been held criminally liable.

Perhaps technically possible, but highly unlikely. The prosecution would fall heavily on the actions of the father, and your important role would have been as a witness.

Yes, it is highly unlikely and usually reserved for those situations where the individual didn't just not notice but somehow actively participated in leaving that child in a position of danger, such as by obstructing others from helping.

[laklak]

I see a toddler wandering down a road and think "free lunch!"

[mistermack]