A vehicle door lock system includes an interior door handle for a rear door. A door release switch is mechanically connected to the interior door handle. A child door lock switch for the rear door is accessible by a driver. A power release door latch for the rear door is electrically connected to the door release switch and mechanically connected to the interior door handle. A mechanical child door lock switch is located on the rear door and that is mechanically connected to the power release door latch. A control module communicates with the child door lock switch, the power release door latch and the door release switch. The control module is configured to electrically actuate the power release door latch when the mechanical child door lock switch is in a locked position, the child door lock switch has an unlocked state and the door release switch is in an active state.