[Skooz]

The child was only 5 feet away. That is close enough. She had a reasonable expectation that heavy fixtures were not going to fall onto her child.

[DJ MacWoW]

The child was only 5 feet away. That is close enough.

Was her back to him? Was she looking at him or something else? If he had been in a cart, he'd have been with her where he belonged.

She had a reasonable expectation that heavy fixtures were not going to fall onto her child.

When you are out in a public venue there is no reasonable expectation. You have no control on the environment. Your kids should be controlled and in view at all times. Hold their hands or have them in a cart.

[M0sby]

I HAVE to agree that 5 feet is very close!
AND...as far as someone suggesting that 3 year olds SHOULD be IN the cart...
Well...my 3 year can sort of still fit in the cart...but BARELY...I MEAN BARELY!
He doesn't really care about BEING in the cart...but trying to get in it usually causes tears.
His legs are just too long...(and in case ANYONE wants to suggest that he is TOO FAT...he is 43 inches tall and weighs 43 pounds)

That being said..there have been many, MANY times when my kids have been farther than 5 feet away from me. (GASP!!)
If I stop to look at candles or plants or WHATEVER, and they ask if they can go "over here" (still in sight) to look at the comic books, or the cartoon beach towels, or the fish OR WHATEVER I will certainly let them as long as I can see them and HEAR THEM~
If they are being well behaved they are allowed to walk away from the cart to look at "stuff"...if not...they have to have a hand on the cart.
You are SO right about the mom having a reasonable expectation about heavy fixtures..
I CERTAINLY have that same expectation.

I really LIKE Walmart..our local store is just fine. It isn't what you would call "very nice" or anything..but it is NO DIFFERENT than going to a grocery store.

I am so very sad for this family.
I would hope that as these people decide to criticize the parents or Walmart or the child...that they first stop to at least mutter a prayer of support for the family. Or at least, a bit of thanks that it wasn't them.