If these children were mine, I would be so guilt ridden for having NOT thought to look in the trunk that I don't believe I could go on. It's bad enough to lose a child and it must seem completely unforgiveable to know you could have saved them but were simply too stupid to think.
Yup, and not being able to live with yourself if it really was your fault, you probably would look for someone to blame. I really hope that was what was driving the parents' statements.