We are not discussing where a parent runs out to get some groceries and leaves the child in the car "for a minute". That would be pure negligence and would warrant some of the over the top comments here.
Usually these stories happen when someone's routine is changed and they're not supposed to have the kid with them at that point.
...in most cases the parent was distracted/under other pressures and leaves the car without the child.[/b]
Usually the change in routine where father takes the child to playgroup instead of the mother, father gets distracted from work/personal issue, child falls asleep, father doesn't remember that the child is there and ends up driving to work instead of playgroup...I've read a lot of stories about this, it can and literally does happen to to the most loving parents. We are all familiar with the "Don't leave your kids in the car" warnings, but those warnings only help for people that are aware that their kids are in the car. When they're not in your car 364 days a year, and they fall asleep, its very easy to fall back on routine.
Heck, a couple weeks ago I was dropping off 2 kids instead of 1, I drove past the playgroup because I was so used to only dropping off the other child. Obviously nothing happened, but it goes to show, we think we know everything and this can never happen to me and I'll never forget that my child is in the car, but the truth is some people have to get off their high horse and accept that it is completely human to forget and this is an unfortunate accident.