I understand, the point still stands though is there would be a considerable number of people in on this and willing to cover it up. How many scenarios has you seen (even on this forum) where something like this went on, involving that many people?
The neighbor backed off of her statement about checking on Lisa,didn't she?
She was drinking that night ,also ,and just split with her husband. How bad would it look if she had not claimed to check on her own daughter that night ,even if she didn't? She could be lying about checking on the kids for her own reasons.
My sister had a friend who was a divorced single mom and a waitress at a bar at night.She was turned in to DSS several times because she left her 10 year old to babysit the two youngest until 2 in the morning. She never believed she was doing anything wrong .
She ended up going back to school and becoming a social worker who almost always took the parents side,especially for neglect.She would excuse away pretty scary situations. I was a foster parent at the time and was horrified at what she thought was okay.
I actually stopped taking babies from protective services during that time ,in part, because it was so frustrating when I had to deal with her.
The neighbor may relate to DB and is sticking up for her. It was a school night but it sounds like the kids had very little supervision inside the house that night. Total speculation on my part ,based on the changing stories.
DB may also know something about the neighbor that could cause her trouble so she's covering some,for DB by claiming to check on the baby.
I just don't find a mom who has a 4 yr old in her care,yet drinks throughout the night,very credible. JMO