This happens in hotels where the facilities are all under one roof and where there are listening services. Leaving small children all alone in an unsecured apartment immediately adjacent to a public road while the parents went off dining and socialising was irresponsible. It matters little whether it was 50 metres away or 5 miles, events can occur where youngsters are concerned.
What is all the more galling about this case is the fact that facilities were available but the McCanns thought they knew better and didn't bother. They took a chance and it backfired on them.
It is irresponsible in your opinion
People take chances every day
Far more children will be harmed by parents who smoke around them than are left to sleep in apartments
Far more children are harmed by parents not putting them in seat belts
Many children have been left alone on holiday
The McCann situation will have caused that number to fall