There is one point that doesn't appear to be coming across in the numerous postings and articles since the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
When a parent makes a decision to leave a child to 'pop out' for a while or however long it happens to be - do they not consider something happening to them whilst out that prevents them from returning to their child who is then left alone and defenceles without anyone realising it.
It never crossed my mind until I mentioned to my mum about someone I know who used to put her very young baby 'safe' in her cot to go out running to get rid of some of the stress she had from the babies crying (despite much protest). She felt that no harm could come to the baby (aside from considering fire etc). My mum just said - "so what happens if she gets run over and killed or injured badly and no one knows that the baby is at home alone"?
Its just another consideration for those that make that decision.