I think, too, the fact that this was a pattern of leaving the children alone at about the same time every night totally made it easier for the kidnapper(s).  When we take our eyes off our children at the park, it is only for moments, not for hours, and I'm assuming not at the same time everyday.  (Yes, I realize that anything can happen in those moments, however short.)

I've been fortunate to never have lost my children at a department store- I'm much too paranoid to lose site of them and/or contact in public.

I am concerned that other caregivers won't be as vigilant. Since they are in daycare and often stay over with their grandparents, I'm not with them 24 hours a day. There's a lot of faith involved in trusting someone else with your kids...

Im with ya Nicole. I'm as paranoid as they come. My eyes are GLUED to those kids when out in public.

i do understand that some people are little more laid back though, and obviously thats fine but leaving your children alone in an unlocked apartment while your out drinking loads of wine for hours is just plain and simple bad parenting. at least in that instance. I dont care if you could see the apartments back window from where you were sitting or whatever, it was a STUPID thing to do. How could ANYBODY think that was a good idea?! They were vacationing so its not like they knew and trusted their neighbors to watch out for anything.

This whole thing makes me very upset and im frightened for that poor little girl.