Should negligent parents be punished?

earthcitizen (US)

It's about time parents were held more responsible for their lack of action. Too many times a child has drowned in a dam or at the beach, been run over in the driveway or on the road outside the house, been in a room many storeys up with insecure windows or left in the car to cook. Too many times people say 'oh those poor parents'. We need to start saying "Where were the parents?" There is NO EXCUSE for failed parenting. If I live on a property with water or dangerous equipment I never let my children out of my sight, if I am at a beach or lake I never let my children out of my sight and this also applies to the park, my own yard etc. Children and accidents happen easily, but when it is because of the failure of the parents, they need to be held responsible.

A baby falls asleep in a safety seat in Oct, 2010.[Photo/IC]