[Margaret Pilkington]

there was so much furore and misinformation at the time this happened that maybe she did say something and the media just didn't report it.......or it got lost in the media reporting.
The press seemed to be more interested in vilifying the parents for their mistake.

Parents are human beings and as such can make errors of judgement. I feel sorry for the family....Yes, they did something which they now bitterly regret.......and they will be paying for it for the rest of their lives.
To those parents who feel smug and think they would never get themselves into this position I would say.......look at your palms....do you see nail holes? No? then you aren't perfect.

All parents do things, which on reflection, could have had serious consequences, the difference is...for this family the consequences happened, we heard about it and they were vilified.
Have some compassion do!