A Nebraska couple whose children were towed with their car have filed a lawsuit against the towing company.

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In court papers, Kendra and Brenda Dorsey contend that their four children were crying loudly as a truck operator towed the car away from a meter outside the Douglas County Courthouse in Omaha, The Omaha World-Herald reports. Heartland Towing contends the children slept through the incident.

The Dorseys left their car outside the courthouse in December 2003 while they appeared in court inside. The children, who ranged up to 12 years in age, were left in the car at a meter where parking was banned during the evening rush hour.

Shortly after 4 p.m., a municipal employee put a tow tag on the vehicle.

Heartland points out the tow-truck operator had only gone a couple of blocks before he was told by radio to return the car and children.

"It wasn't like we left them in the impound lot overnight," Mark Lett, the Heartland manager, said. "It was just a goof-up. We apologized and told them we didn't know anyone was in the car."

Lett said tow-truck operators are now instructed check vehicles for children or pets before hooking them.