I am agreeing that no one is at fault but the criminal. It's a sad day when kids can't play on their streets, especially in a decent neighborhood (which this sounded to be). Parents can't be there 24/7 - even if the children are in the yard, it is madness to think they must be under constant observation until they're old enough to carry. I wandered the woods and suburbs as soon as my mother would let me leave her sight and big cities by 13. Sometimes I got lost - sometimes I still do. And if something had happened, there really would have been no blame to place, unless another person had caused it. So I think it's bogus to blame 911, and especially the mother. As a parent, you'll lose your life and probably screw up your kids if you don't allow them the freedom and trust that comes with taking your eyes off them. And I felt a major push of these gun forums, at least with the pro-carry community, was the understanding that although our civil guardians do their best, we cannot count on the law enforcement community to be by our side's every second of every day. No, the fault lies with the criminal, and the criminal alone. If he is mentally competent, he deserves the worst. If not, he needs to be put away indefinitely. Violent and child sex offenders are the lowest of the low, and we certainly need the stiffest punishments possible not only out of our desire to make it fit the crime, but as a deterrent for those capable of understanding the consequences of their actions. As one small tangent, let's not forget those who are like children as well, the handicapped and elderly, often as vulnerable as an 8 year old. Comparable abuses occur in these populations with astounding frequency, often by those charged with their care, but go unreported. "It takes a village," and as the decent villagers, we must all look out for those who can't look out for themselves.