If they hadn't mentioned that this took place in California, I think I would have guessed it right off. Not only that, but I think most other people would have guessed it right too.
Oh for Pete's sake. Susan Smith wasn't from California, Andrea Yates wasn't from California. There are rotten parents everywhere.
My first guess was Georgia.
Gee, I have lived in California for my whole life and I haven't, nor have I met anyone here that has left their children to go on vacation. Seems to me that I remember the one couple that left their two young boys to go on a vacation to Mexico was from Chicago. I don't know where you get the idea that most of the stories of this nature originate from California.
You're ignorant.
or Florida
California is full of left wing wackos, not bad parents.