Proposed bill would increase penalties for child torture and abuse
Oct 16, 2024, 4:00 PM
The Utah State Capitol is pictured in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Kira Hoffelmeyer/ KSL NewsRadio)
(Kira Hoffelmeyer/ KSL NewsRadio)
SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers are working on legislation that better protects victims of child torture and abuse. The bill enhances penalties and creates longer mandatory prison sentences.
The bill being presented designates child torture as a standalone crime, enhancing it to a first-degree felony. Additionally, it would require anyone charged with child torture, to serve a 10-year prison sentence.
Related: Kevin Franke calls for child welfare reform after YouTube mom sent to prison for child abuse
Bill sponsor, State Sen. Don Ipson, R-St. George, said that enhanced penalties deter crime and send a clear signal for what is not acceptable in our society.
Dr. Toni Laskey helped introduce the bill as a child abuse pediatrician during an interim legislative meeting on Wednesday.
“Broken bones heal. Burns heal. Bruises heal. Survivors of child torture will have years, decades, their whole life to work through what has happened to them,” said Laskey.
“A journey that will require intensive mental health therapy, it will require helping them try to catch up socially and academically from the deprivation that they’ve endured. It will require teaching them how to eat normally again. It requires helping them to learn to trust adults. Something that has never been a given in their situation,” Laskey continued.
The legislation comes amid recent cases like Ruby Franke’s children and 12-year-old Gavin Peterson from West Haven.
Lawmakers expect the bill to make its way into the legislative session next year.
Related reading: Kevin Franke calls for child welfare reform after YouTube mom sent to prison for child abuse
