Media Release: Contact:
September 9, 2008 Joel Miller, Linda Pence for Attorney General
(317) 750-5757
Linda Pence announces comprehensive plan to crack down on child abuse
Pledges strong repercussions against child abusers
Indianapolis - Attorney General candidate Linda Pence today announced a strategic focus to protect Hoosier families as a central platform in her campaign for the office. Among Pence's top priorities include an aggressive approach to investigating, prosecuting and preventing child abuse.
"In the last year, there have been two deaths of infants in foster homes in Marion County alone, and hundreds of other infants and children have died or suffered serious, grave injuries," Pence said. "Our children deserve thorough, independent, comprehensive investigations performed by trained professionals with integrity whose mission will be to determine precisely what happened, whether someone was responsible for the death or injuries, and then be empowered to take swift action against anyone accountable."
As Attorney General, Pence will strengthen and enhance the Indiana State Child Fatality Review Team. Created in 2006, the team's structure currently does not allow for the review of all child deaths and does not account for all counties based on resource limitations. At the same time, the team currently is restricted to the review of abuse cases selected and identified by the Department of Children's Services. Under Pence's proposal, she will empower the Child Fatality Review Team to have the ability to conduct a comprehensive review of child fatalities.
Pence's proposal also enables the Attorney General to conduct an independent investigation when a child in foster care or under the protection of the State dies. While the State currently conducts its own investigation, an independent review by the Attorney General would ensure a thorough analysis of the facts, as well and help uncover trends that may prevent future deaths from occurring.
"There is no doubt that when a child in foster care or under the protection of the State dies that the caseworkers, child advocates, and all involved parties are truly horrified and saddened," Pence said. "These very individuals have dedicated their lives to the protection of children. I was a caseworker many years ago. I know how deeply these public servants care. But, when a child dies the same department cannot, should not, investigate itself."
Recognizing that public education is also an important component in determining both the cause of death and prevention, Pence will take a leadership role in informing the public of the causes of children's deaths and prevention. This will include an interactive toolkit on the Attorney General's web site for the public to use, as well as training opportunities for communities throughout the state to help them better understand the nature of the problem and how to identify and prevent child fatalities and abuse.
Finally, Pence will form the Attorney General's Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Investigative Team that will be available to assist prosecutors and law enforcement agencies throughout Indiana when a child is intentionally harmed.
"If someone intentionally hurts a child," Pence said, "I will make sure that they rot in jail. As the state's top law enforcement officer, the Attorney General is responsible for tough and decisive action when it comes to protecting our children. I know how to fight for families and protect them from harm's way, and that is exactly what I will do as Attorney General. "
To learn more about Linda Pence and her campaign for Attorney General, please visit www.lindapence.net.
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