It took seeing this re-quoted by attthelake for me to go back and find the comment to comment string.
I know I gave my personal opinion about your coffee table example before but I want to point out that there is a legal difference between the two scenarios you have claimed to be equal.
The difference is that, while the Virginia code does not expressly state what shall be permitted in terms of leaving a child unattended, one scenario involves *intentionally* leaving a child unattended and thus creating the potential for harm to come to the child who is not mature enough to make appropriate decisions alone, does not have access to an adult when in need of help, etc.
The act of intentionally leaving a child alone who is not mature or capable of making safe decisions or caring for himself is illegal and constitutes negligence for failure to provide adequate supervision.
The act of intentionally washing your dishes while your child plays in a nearby room is not illegal. Should an infant or just learning to walk toddler be left alone in a room with a sharp edged coffee table? No. Should a 5 year old be allowed to be play in the living room while mom washes dishes? I think most of us here would allow our children to do that. It is not creating an unsafe situation. It is not illegal. There is no neglect.
So, no...in both scenarios, she "intentionally made decisions that lead to the death." does not apply equally. Otherwise, we would all to have eat off paper plates and get rid of our coffee tables as doing dishes would be deemed negligence.