While it's true that we can learn from this, it is not fair to assume the baby was intentionally left "alone." Accidents happen. No matter how hard we try, we're never going to be perfect. Most of the time when we screw up and when we make mistakes we get lucky and nobody dies. The attitude that "It can't happen to me because I'm a good parent and obviously THOSE parents aren't" is dangerous.

I know a family who lost a toddler in a drowning accident because of a simple miscommunication. Two adults each thought the other adult had the child. Nobody just "left" the child unattended, they each thought they'd left the child in the other's care. Meanwhile the child managed to get outside and into the pool unnoticed. It was just an ACCIDENT. We have no reason to believe this family was not being as careful as all of us would be, but accidents just happen sometimes no matter how hard we try to prevent them.

Of course it's a good reminder to check and double check when moving a vehicle, whether it's a tractor or a lawn mower or a car. But let's not ASSume that the parents were negligent in this. It could happen to any of us. Due diligence can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk.

The last time I rode a max train with strollers, we went to the zoo with (let's see if I can remember this correctly) 2 adults, 1 grade school child, 1 preschooler, and 2 toddlers. The 2 adults were NOT the parents of the toddlers... neither of us were used to carrying 2-3 year old children around on our backs, and toddlers really can't handle an entire day of walking. So yes, we had a stroller for each toddler. I cannot imagine trying to safely get all those kids onto the max train while each adult was busy trying to manhandle a folded-up stroller.
We actually had another adult meeting up with us at the zoo. It too him an hour to find a parking spot. So even if my Suburban hadn't been in the shop, it sure was nice to be able to take the train. Strollers and all. And actually, the low-floor trains DO allow for kids in strollers. On the Trimet website, under the heading of "Bringing a Stroller" it says this: " • You may use a seat in the priority seating area by the door, as long as it's not occupied or needed by a senior citizen or a rider with a disability. Look for the "Priority seating area" sign. • We ask that you keep your stroller folded while on board, except on low-floor MAX trains (those without stairs at the door). This is important for the safety of your child and your fellow riders." So I guess we weren't breaking the precious rules after all.

Fair enough. I'll just drive my Suburban instead.

I was not aware of the rule to fold up a stroller before getting on a max train.
How would you even do that? You've got a kid, a stroller, probably a diaper bag, possibly even a car seat... if you fold up the stroller how are you supposed to safely get all that crap onto the train safely and efficiently? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. Pushing the kid onto the train and THEN folding the stroller up at your seat is clearly the safest way to manage it. Likewise for deboarding -- pushing the stroller is the safest way to do it.
It will be interesting to see if Tri-Met releases the surveillance video.

Yeah. Anybody who dares to take a vacation anywhere other than a Six Flags or Disneyland deserves a Darwin Award.
Oh wait. People die at Six Flags and Disney occasionally, too. In fact, people have died hiking at Multnomah Falls, too. Remember the headline from October 2008: "Man Dies and Family of Five Injured in Incidents near Multnomah Falls"
Darn. I guess we better all stay at home in bed.
But then we're at risk for obesity, heart attack, and stroke...
Yeah, I think I'd rather risk dying while out seeing the world than sitting on my couch with a beer watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.

Probably some idiot who couldn't tell the difference between a swan and a goose.
Whatever it was, I hope the person gets caught. It's people like that who give real sportsmen a bad name.

"Yosemite and the grand canyon are much safer."
You apparently haven't run into any Grizzlies, Cougars, Wolves, or Rattlers lately. People are killed by wildlife in our own national and state parks, too. It is just too common to make the news. When a US citizen gets trampled by an elephant, it's highly unusual. I'm sure a Kenyan national being eaten by a bear would be similarly sensational in their own country.

You're assuming that people at KATU passed their high school journalism classes. And I think that's quite a leap, considering.

It is pretty rare for adults to qualify for the Oregon Health Plan, unless they're pregnant. Occasionally someone gets through for being disabled or having other qualifying factors along with a very low income, but trying to convince "the system" you're really disabled is extremely difficult.

My niece came home from (a different) summer camp a few weeks ago with H1N1. She was apparently the only one who caught it (or at least got sick enough to report it; she was hospitalized briefly due to other complicating health issues). I do think closing the camp is an overreaction, and make it a news issue is even more so. I'm not saying we should encourage the spread or anything, but anybody who is exposed to it now and fights it off will probably have an advantage once the regular flu season hits and nothing we can do will totally contain it. So closing everything down to slow the spread of H1N1 seems a little silly.