Sandra Ramirez explains “Gas Can Mom” photo in a video interview

In “SMDH” news, the Aurora, Colorado Police Department recently posted the photo above on their Facebook wall showing an unrestrained diapered toddler sitting next to a gas can strapped into a child’s car seat. They requested people “share it to remind everyone that life is precious, so please be responsible and make sure children are properly restrained in the appropriate child safety seat.”

The photo, which has since gone viral, was taken after Sandra Ramirez was stopped for making an improper turn in Aurora on May 30. Ramirez, who is now simply known as “Gas Can Mom” on the internet, was cited for no proof of insurance, as well as three counts of seat belt violations because neither she, her toddler son, or a third person also present in the Chevy Blazer were wearing seatbelts.

“This could be one of the extreme incidents we’ve ever seen,” Aurora Police spokesman Frank Fania told The Denver Post.

Gas Can Mom spoke with WBTV about the incident and assures everyone outraged by the photo that “My son was buckled. I’m sorry for any misunderstandings there were. I love my kids.” According to Ramirez, her son was buckled in but managed to unbuckle himself and get out quickly.

“He doesn’t know how to push this, but he can push the red button and shimmy out, down. So then I see him flip over the car seat itself and put on his big boy seat belt,” she said.

“The gas can, I was holding it and it was full and I didn’t want it to spill so I just set it in the car seat. I didn’t strap it or nothing,” said Joseph Robles, who was a passenger in the SUV at the time.

“He unstrapped himself because he hates it,” Robles said, “And then he got in a regular seat and strapped himself in.”

Ramirez says in the clip, “I’ve learned my lesson. I do not drive and I’m selling my vehicle.”

She is scheduled to appear in court on June 29.

The photo has since been removed by the Aurora Police Department, who issued the following statement:

“Please know that we very much believe the photo served as an educational opportunity for child passenger safety and we hope that parents will utilize the information sources available to understand the laws and requirements to protect their children while in vehicles. However, our resources are limited and we can’t continue to monitor comments at the level necessary to ensure that any harassing or profane posts are removed promptly.”