I agree, however you are pointing out a bunch of things that this woman might OWN and none of us are privy to that info.
To reiterate, the one 'thing' in her life which should have been as precious as, or more precious than life itself is gone, forgotten in the pursuit of whatever else.
Were this person neglecting her child for a methadrine fix, everyone on this tread would be down on the drug, the user, etc.
But letting your child die, strapped into a chair in the sun in an enclosed space, unable to move, helpless, in a way that would provoke universal outrage were someone to execute even a cannabilistic sex-offender in this fashion is OK if you did it because you spaced the kid out on the way to work?
I not only do not get how anyone could defend her, but if people are going to blame the rat-race lifestyle, then I do not understand how anyone could defend that either.
If your child is not first and foremost in your mind, you are missing a lot.