[mothered]

I'm not so sure that's what really happened. I think they probably said you've got to wait here and tried to pretend as though they weren't coming back. If they intentionally left him for dead, I'm pretty sure they'd get done for attempted murder.

Yes, with my comment of "basically dumped him and left him for dead", I was metaphorically speaking, hence my bracketed comment of "so to speak". In other words, due to their negligence, It can be seen as leaving him for dead.

I agree with what you've said In terms of a punishment-like act from the parents. But the way they did It was certainly Inappropriate.