Leaving a child in a hot car to die constitutes manslaughter.
Even if it was your own child and by complete accident, it is involuntary manslaugter. and is charged / punishable as such, Sometimes a sleep-deprived parent may truly forget due to a meeting or appointment and have deep remorse. It will deeply effect a family also. So many times, parents divorce over this. It is cruel to pour on more punishment and hardship such families are already faced with. Show some compassion for the loss of life and love.
Being responsible for, and ending the life of someone else’s child by accident is manslaughter for sure and should be punishable to the full extent of the law as involuntary manslaughter. Child care workers should take this responsibility extremely seriously. They will never face the full pain and remorse a parent will, and should take more punishment / less leniency than a parent.
Leaving a dog, cat,or other animal in a car is one of the underpunished crimes in most nations, for the death or suffering of a helpless, loving animal. Our pets rely on us and almost always love us. When a pet dies in a car it is not taken as seriously enough but the crime should be carried up to the equivalency of manslaughter, even though I know it can’t be counted as manslaughter. So should leaving an animal in a car be carried to the equivalency of leaving a child in a car, even if the animal or child does not die.
I am sorry to make my first answer on Fluther about punishment and go off so far on this. Normally I would rather help heal the brokenness that follows death or suffering that comes from severance from love (or a failure to recognize the need to care). But I love children and animals, and I am a real legal stickler for animal rights.
One more thing. As long as animals do not create a threat to others, there is no reason to not allow them in many places they are currently not allowed. Pet owners are responsible for the damage their animals do, but should be allowed where they do no harm.