Gwyneth Gibby, April 3, 2007
SALEM - A bill inspired by the death of a Corvallis toddler got support at a hearing in the Capitol on Monday.
The House Human Services and Women's Wellness Committee heard testimony about "Karly's Law," which would close some of the gaps in current safeguards for children who are victims of abuse and neglect.
The legislation was proposed by Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, in response to the murder of 3-year-old Karly Sheehan in June 2005. Karly was beaten to death by her mother's boyfriend, Shawn Field. The Department of Human Services had an open investigation into possible child abuse at the time of Karly's death. Field was found guilty last year of torturing and killing Karly and is serving a life sentence.
Testifying at the hearing were Karly's father, David Sheehan, and DHS child protective services program manager Una Swanson, as well as representatives from the Juvenile Rights Project and CASA, which provides court advocates for children who have been removed by the state from unsafe homes. All voiced their support for the bill.