I have to admit I'm ambivalent about this type of punishment. I would like to think that it creates publicity, perhaps acts as a deterrent for future problems, and affirms the value of innocent life, but part of me wonders if someone who is clueless enough to put their child in mortal danger is going to sit up and take notice of a news story talking about the potential penalties for that kind of negligence. And, of course, it's hard to imagine suffering a loss like this and then being punished on top of it.When you see abuse day in and day out, it creates a sense of compassion in you when someone tries and just makes a mistake.
So far I've come down on the side of punishment, but I can see the other side of it too.