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Maybe everything in Portugal is more casual than it should be-maybe the McCanns got out of Dodge before they could be charged. Just because they didn't charge 'em, it doesn't logically mean they didn't do something criminal. None of the responsible parents here would have left the children alone to go eat and drink with the grownups. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your social life if you choose not to get a babysitter. These aren't stupid people-they knew better and did it anyway. Does anyone here recall about 15-20 years ago, a European couple left their baby in a stroller on a sidewalk in NYC so they could go into a restaurant and eat in peace-they were charged, at least initially, because it's a crime. Maybe it isn't a crime in Portugal, but I wouldn't bet on it just because they weren't charged.