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It is a tragedy, actually, and in addition it's an aberration of the natural order of our communities--it's not this incredibly common fact pattern that parents' impulses regularly steer them into; it's the opposite in fact. No I don't concede that the state should be invited into all our homes to prescribe to us the standard of care under pains of imprisonment. I don't concede that no matter how many children's graves you point to. Yes it's sad.
To boot, it's a slippery slope. Next people will move on from children and start insisting that we should imprison those who are unwilling to charge into gunfire!
I agree it creates the obligation. I disagree failure to meet the obligation justifies imprisonment of this police officer.
It's precisely how we avoid inviting the state into our homes. You're not being watched 24/7 but if you starve your child you get criminally charged. The people who want to flood the streets with CPS and social workers sound a lot closer to your idea of "It's not like I'm opposed to other solutions or repercussions" than to me, in my opinion.
Nonsense, such a thing would be unthinkable.
If there is no penalty for not meeting the obligation, then there is no obligation.
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