This is true, but read the story again. The little girl's father was staying at the home of a friend because he and his wife were separated, and the little girl was staying there with him. Apparently the 'transient' was staying there as well, and was sleeping on the couch. When the father returned from the bathroom to get his daughter some breakfast, she was gone and so was the 'transient'. It was within the hour that the guy came back all wet and said he'd been swimming in the river. I'm sure that's how they found her so quickly. The police went to the river where the guy said he'd gone.
Bad judgement call on her Daddy's part. I think he'll have a hard time forgiving himself for this.
Beyond bad judgement. Sheer idiocy. And believe me, I'm one person here who has been offended and the Monday morning quaterbacking going on on this site regarding the lifestyles of some of the parents of the recent kidnapped children.
I mean, first the Van Dams. O.K. That one speaks for itself. They are indefensible. The parents' lifestyle definately contributed to Danielle's death.
The Smarts'? They appear well adjusted a first glance, but alot of folks have spread rumors of dysfunction within the family. I say, let's see some proof first. They have acted weird, however, IMO.
Seriously, some here have actually critisized Samantha Runion's mother for having a second husband who is not Samantha's father. That is just outrageous. Samantha's family has been the most normal reacting, probably most well-adjusted family of all the recent missing girls.
Now with this case, the whole bum sleeping on the couch buisness - inexcusable. Unless I am mising something, that was just stupidity and carelessness.