I could be totally wrong, but I think a LOT of people are jumping to a lot of conclusions and speculating like crazy. Shoot, my kids walk around barefoot all the time. I walk around barefoot all the time (not in public, like at stores and stuff, that would be weird, lol). No I don't let my kids wander around the place but my sister-in-law once lived in a trailer park not far from Bremerton (out in Belfair) and it was actually quite common to see little kids out playing together, riding bikes, etc., without a grown up present. Many parks are just very tight communities where everyone knows everyone, yards/lots are connected, etc. Even though I wouldn't do it, I didn't really think much of her letting her boys do it only because of the set up of the park. Maybe the parents WERE neglectful or maybe they weren't. Maybe the whole horrible thing was a completely messed up set up circumstances that we're not privvy to yet? (Mom was at work, thought Jenise was at so-and-so's house, didn't touch base with dad, etc.) We only know what the media is telling us and we ALL know they only report parts of the story that sell/get ratings.
I'm a big softie and tend to give parents the benefit of the doubt, only because I have 7 kids myself and have been a parent for 31 years. It's not easy, and no one does it perfectly 24/7. If anyone says they do, they're full of moldy bean dip.
That being said, if it's proven either of the parents DID have something to do with this, I'll be among the first to demand justice. I loathe people who hurt little kids, no matter who they are, but especially when it's their own parent. Until THEN however, I'll reserve opinion about mom & dad.
MOO... your mileage may vary. A lot, lol.