Assembly Considers Tougher Penalties for Child Abuse

Posted on April 14, 2008
Filed Under Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Law, News |

A 16-year-old Fresno County girl was arrested today for child abuse. Her severely injured 4-month-old step-sister was rushed to Children’s Hospital of Central California with multiple broken bones and head injuries. A 22-year-old Redding father was charged with cruelty to a child likely to cause great bodily injury. His 4-week-old daughter is recovering from bleeding in the brain, a victim of shaken baby syndrome.

Governor Schwarzenegger has proclaimed April Child Abuse Prevention Month in California. There are nearly 500,000 cases of child abuse reported in California each year. The California Department of Social Services has labeled child abuse “the single greatest public health epidemic in our country today.” Behind education and health care, child abuse and neglect is the third most critical issues facing California, says Danielle Mole of Prevent Child Abuse California. The organization sponsors the statewide child abuse awareness campaign, It Only Takes a Minute — to Make a Difference in a Child’s Life.

In less than 60 seconds, an adult’s anger or frustration can boil over into a physical action that can maim a child for life and sometimes kill him. Crimes against children include physical assault and battery; threatening or violent acts, even when no harm is intended; child endangerment in which children are witness to acts of domestic violence; sexual assault and child molestation. Child abuse is a serious charge that can result in either misdemeanor charges or criminal charges, depending on the severity of the act.

The California state legislature is currently considering a bill that would mandate more time behind bars for child abusers who inflict great bodily injury. Dubbed Adam’s Bill, the legislation would increase jail time from the current maximum of 6 years to 15 years to life in prison for anyone who abuses a child to the point of brain injury or paralysis. The bill passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee last week and is headed for debate in the Assembly. Sponsored by Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines, the bill was inspired by Adam, a Fresno boy now unable to walk or talk because of child abuse.

Written by LegalPro

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