I have a somewhat controversial (perhaps) take on these crimes. I DO think they are crimes. I don't think being a good parent absolves legal accountability. If I forget my child in my home, in a shopping cart, in the backyard, etc...and they die...I will be held accountable legally. I feel the car has become this magical place where there is no accountability for negligence. Failing to remember a child for any reason (aside from something like a medical event or similar) is neglecting the moral and legal responsibility a parent has. If they are a good parent every day and their child happens to die on the day they aren't the best parent...the other days shouldn't preclude legal accountability. I am not suggesting throwing the legal book at these parents. I am suggesting they MUST be held legally accountable in some manner, for the negligence and the crime they committed. Compassion and accountability are not mutually exclusive. I feel incredible sympathy and also feel the legal system has a responsibility to the deceased child.
Could it happen to me? I don't think so, because I take all the steps to make sure it doesn't. If it did, I would deserve to be held accountable. Holding a parent accountable probably won't prevent the next one. The death penalty probably won't prevent the next serial killer. DUI laws probably won't prevent the next drunk driver. But we have them, because we are a system that holds people accountable for the crimes they have committed. EVEN when it wasn't intentional.
Fly high little angels.
