Thanks for replying. I haven’t followed this case and so have no real opinion on it yet. I am reserving judgement.
I will say this, though. Although I cannot imagine leaving my own kids alone while I go out to dinner, it seems to be the custom in Europe. I don’t think the parents did the right thing to leave them, but I don’t think they should be condemned for it, either. How many of us have ever used bad judgement or made a mistake that we managed to not get caught at or suffer the consequences of? (Think about glancing away while driving and then having to slam on the brakes to avoid rear-ending someone.)
Second, I have known several accomplished liars. It is stunning how some people can lie and yet look normal and respectable. Those I have known have done it successfully all their lives and have managed to deceive teachers, judges, neighbors, employers, etc. It is only those who get very, very close who can see through the respectable facade to the sham underneath. I don’t mean this as an accusation of the parents. I am just saying that it’s possible they are lying. Also, they are very good-looking and it’s been my experience that the good-looking among us are more readily believed than those who are not so good-looking.
Third, everyone has an agenda. The parents have theirs. The police have theirs. The journalists have theirs. Sometimes the different agendas support each other. Sometimes they are at odds. The motivation of all of these groups are suspect. The only ones on this list with a true motivation in favor of the child are the parents.
Sorry,but Europeans DO NOT leave their children alone whilst dining.Quite the opposite.
The Southern Europeans especially have huge family meals where everyone drinks,eats and talks and meals take hours.
Sad, to say the only Europeans that DO leave their children?...the BRITISH AND IRISH.