April 20, 2022
Back

New Kansas law requires harsher sentences for child abuse - WDAF FOX4 Kansas City

TOPEKA, Kan. — A new Kansas law is creating harsher penalties for child abusers. Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2508 into law Monday. Advocacy groups and family of victims say they are glad to see the development.

The new law specifically looks at different types of abuse children face and ups the penalties. Advocates are hoping this not only keeps kids in safer situations, but shows abusers that child abuse is a serious crime.

“Adrian continues to be my angel,” Judy Marsh said of her grandson, Adrian Jones. ” He has given me the strength to, to do a lot of things that I’ve done without him. “

Adrian was discovered after his death in 2015 after years of child abuse. His father and step-mother were convicted of first-degree murder and will serve at least 25 years in prison each. Investigators say Jones was starved and tortured at the hands of Michael and Heather Jones.

“I think the more we get involved, you know, as adults, and be the voices of these children, I were going to, it’s going to benefit these children,” Marsh said.

Natalie Julien, the President & C.E.O. of CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties agrees.

“We want to make sure that the child’s voice is heard,” Julien said.

They provide advocates for children in the foster care system by being their voice in court and in life.

The legislation is definitely you know, a positive movement, you know, for prevention, and also for keeping our kids safe after they’ve had to deal with something like this,” Julien said.

Julien says they can always use more volunteer advocates to help children who’ve experienced abuse.

“Unfortunately, the kids do have to go through a lot of change through this process from going to different foster homes, different schools, having to work with different providers, but through all of that they know that they have this one person that is that constant, that consistent person in their life, who cares about what happens to them,” Julien said.

Kansas Senator Molly Baumgardner supported the now law.

“I believe HB 2508 was an important next step taken by the Kansas Legislature to protect the vulnerable children in our communities from future abuse and neglect. Now that the bill’s been signed into law, our judicial system is enabled to hold child abuse offenders appropriately accountable with harsher sentencing options.”

Kansas State Senator, Molly Baumgardner (R)

“There’s too many children that suffer every single day, and they suffer in silence,” Marsh said. “We just have to do a better job.”

Text of HB 2508:

  • Knowingly torturing, cruelly beating, cruelly striking, or cruelly kicking (this conduct is a severity level 5 person felony if the child is at least 6 years of age but less than 18 years of age and a severity level 3 person felony if the child is under 6 years of age);
  • Knowingly inflicting cruel and inhuman corporal punishment or knowingly using cruel and inhuman physical restraint, including caging or confining the child in a space not designated for human habitation or binding the child in a way that is not medically necessary (this conduct is a severity level 5 person felony if the child is at least 6 years of age but less than 18 years of age and a severity level 3 person felony if the child is under 6 years of age);
  • Recklessly causing great bodily harm, abusive head trauma, permanent disability, or disfigurement (this conduct is a severity level 4 person felony);
  • Knowingly causing great bodily harm, abusive head trauma, permanent disability, or disfigurement (this conduct is a severity level 3 person felony);
  • Knowingly inflicting cruel and inhuman corporal punishment with a deadly weapon (this conduct is a severity level 3 person felony); or
  • Knowingly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat, neck, or chest of the child or by blocking the nose or mouth of the child in a manner whereby death or great bodily harm may be inflicted (this conduct is a severity level 3 person felony).

Interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent in Missouri?

  • Cornerstones of Care specializes in Standard and Career Foster Licenses at 1-855-SRV-KIDS (855-778-5437) or visit their website.
  • Crittenton Children’s Center (Saint Lukes) focuses on medical homes, homes that can accommodate sibling groups, and homes for older youth (age 12 and up).
  • If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Virginia Fatseas at (816) 986-5209
  • Missouri Alliance offers elevated needs training (Level A & B) to our Resource Families. They also train our foster parents in TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) as well as SOS (Signs of Safety).
  • If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Karie Scott-Roark email: [email protected].
  • Great Circle Behavioral Health for Children & Families does foster care licensing for prospective foster parents.
  • If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Jaqueline Brown at (816) 255-1503 or [email protected]

Interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent in Kansas?

  • To become an adoptive parent you can find more information by calling (888) 655-5500.
  • To become a foster parent you can sign up for a class or learn more through their website.
  • To become an adoptive or foster parent you can contact Denise Gibson at (913) 209-5923 or email her at [email protected].

Want to see more children who are looking for a family?

Want to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children in the metro?

According to CASA’s website, a court appointed special advocate make a life-changing different for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Each volunteer is appointed by a judge to advocate for a child’s best interest in court.

Their volunteers help judges develop a fuller picture of each child’s life. Their advocacy enables judges to make the most well-informed decision for each child.

Missouri

  • Clay County CASA: To volunteer with Clay County CASA, contact the Program Director, Ashley Zugelter, at 816-736-8400 or email [email protected].
  • CASA of Lafayette & Saline Counties: To volunteer with 15th Judicial Circuit CASA, contact the Executive Director, Robin McGinnity Connelly, at 660-259-2590 or email [email protected]. You can also visit their Facebook page.

Kansas

  • CASA of Atchison & Leavenworth Counties: To volunteer contact the Executive Director, Kelly Meyer, at (913) 651-6440 or email her at [email protected].
  • Douglas County CASA: To volunteer contact the Executive Director, Diana Frederick, at (785) 832-5172 or email her at [email protected].

Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



source: https://fox4kc.com/news/new-kansas-law-requires-harsher-sentences-for-child-abuse/

Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.