And yet there are one or two cases a year like this in every hot climate. Indeed, we are too busy, too rushed.

But I do feel that this one is strange - unless we're missing a number of details. Usually, either the parent was ridiculous enough to leave the child on purpose because they did not want to be "bothered" with taking a child into the store, or it was a matter of something was out of routine and the child was not with that parent at that time as the norm, hence the forgetfulness, or it was a true mistake with each parent believing the child was with the other. The last I get, and it's the only excuse I can possibly think of for which I have any sympathy.

But this - it sounds as though the parents were together and the child was just left? Even if you thought the child was napping elsewhere, wouldn't you check on a 2 year old more than 1X in 3 hours? Horrible!

BTW, tallg, it would be manslaughter, not murder. And hence, if the authorities determine that it was truly grievous error, then surely, the loss of one’s own child through one's own stupidity is punishment enough?