When I execute the parent script I receive the following output:

/liwidata/dev/tmp/jmg/dev/library> ./test1.pl
In test1 the parent pid is 21348; the child pid is 21349
All done!
/liwidata/dev/tmp/jmg/dev/library> In test2.pl the pid is 21349
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As you can see the command prompt does not appear at the conclusion of the child script.

Are you sure? To me it looks like the prompt is right there, _before_ the "In test2.pl" output.

Instead of Ctrl-C, have you tried just entering a command? (or pressing enter to simply go to the next line)