Finally a Step Forward
The biggest injustice anyone could do is not support a law that protects children! These two women have been fighting for a law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse in the state. It's been 8 years. Say that again. 8 years!!!! Any lawmaker who has met with them and refused to show their support should hang their head in shame. Isn't it YOUR job to protect children? Did you forget the oath you took when you were sworn into office?! Like everything else, you missed the mark!
- Chapman Girl
Update: On April 5, Donna M. Kshir and Lee Cougardawn Roberts sat down with Republican State Representative Stephanie Borowicz to see if they could gain her support and sponsorship of legislation. This time around, Borowicz offered support and suggested the duo meet with Republican Senator Cris Dush. Borowicz offered to sit in on that meeting.
The biggest roadblock the pair has faced has been the misunderstanding of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System and the central registry.
Kshir said, “The central registry is a private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse and the Unified Judicial System provides comprehensive public access to court records online and upon request. The two are very different. One protects individuals who have been convicted of child abuse and the other allows the public to search and view court cases but information housed by the Unified Judicial System can be hard to place together unless you know someone’s full name, birthdate, county, and state. Without that information you have no idea where to begin to look to see if they have committed a crime.” She added, “it can take days or weeks to research someone. Let’s be honest with ourselves. How many people have days and weeks to research someone’s past before befriending them or getting involved with them?”
Roberts (who divides her time advocating for children and animals between Crestview, Flordia and Clinton County) added, “Unless it’s a high-profile case chances are even if you attempted to look it up, you wouldn’t find it.”
Kshir used her influence as an author and child rights activist seeking Conner’s Law alongside Conner’s mother, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner, to get justice for the Kentucky toddler.
After serving 5.5 years in prison, on a plea deal, for brutally torturing and killing the Kentucky toddler, Ronald Saunders was released from prison and within a month he abused a 15-month-old girl. The toddler’s mother had no idea Saunders had a violent past.
Kshir said, “If the central registry was public April Brandt would have never gotten involved with Ron Saunders II, and her child would not be scarred for life.”
Two women fight for law to make child abuse registry open
longer private and are fighting to open it just as the sex offenders’ registry is for the public under Megan’s Law.Donna M. Kshir and Lee Roberts, both grandmothers, want people to be able to search offenders by name and location, according to Lexi Howard, an assistant and spokeswoman for Kshir and Roberts.
The grandmothers are seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse offenses in the state, including their name, date of birth, the tier of the crime and the location the crime took place which is often needed to find court records.“They believe opening the central registry will give parents the opportunity to protect their children from the unknown,” Howard said.
Their latest effort includes a scheduled meeting on May 14 with state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-McElhattan, to see if they can get her support and sponsorship of legislation.
A prior meeting with Denise Maris, a Democrat candidate for the 76th District for state representative, resulted in Maris’ pledge of support of the proposal should she be elected.
Should the bill pass into law, the women would like it to be named Anson’s Law, after 9-year-old Anson Stover who suffered unspeakable abuse, was placed into a bathtub, and died from the injuries inflicted on him at the hands of his aunt.
The two started campaigning to open the child abuse central registry after 2-year-old Conner Bachuss lost his life to child abuse.
Kshir used her influence as an author and advocate seeking Conner’s Law alongside Conner’s mother, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner, to get justice for the toddler.
Conner’s Law became law, with a signature from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear in March 2015. Manslaughter in the first degree, which carries a 10-20 year sentence, now includes fatal child abuse. Abusers have to serve 85% of that sentence before being released.
The Kentucky toddler’s killer, Ronald Saunders II, suffered from violence in his background, but his past was hidden on the private registry.
After serving 5 ½ years in prison, on a plea deal, for torturing and killing the toddler, Saunders was released from prison and re-offended abusing another child within a month of his release.
Four types of child abuse include neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse. In some countries, using corporal punishment is regarded as child abuse.
One study recorded in MedicalNews Today has suggested that 1 in 4 children experience some kind of neglect or abuse at some time.
Children who may have experienced abuse should visit a doctor or hospital, as physical medical help or counseling may be needed.
Anyone who believes they are abusing, have abused, or might abuse a child should remove themselves from the child and place the child somewhere safe, for example, by asking someone else to look after them, then find someone to confide in. Counseling may be necessary.
There are helplines available, and the local police or health services can help. Calls can be made anonymously. The appropriate people will take action to investigate.
Source: https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2022/05/two-women-fight-for-law-to-make-child-abuse-registry-open/
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