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'Sirita's Law' scheduled for
House hearing
Sirita Sotelo died before
her fifth birthday, beaten to death at the home of her father and
stepmother. Sirita, whose mother was a cocaine addict, had been in and
out of foster care nearly her whole life. And yet the state returned her
to a dangerous home, with disastrous results. Two-year-old Raphael
Gomez, an Ephrata toddler, died in 2003 from a blunt force trauma after
state workers returned him to his parents from foster care four times.
Rep.
Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, is the sponsor of House Bill 2156,
which would protect abused children like Sirita and Raphael by limiting
the rights of habitually abusive parents. The bill, also called
“Sirita’s Law,” will be the subject of a public hearing tonight at 6
p.m. in the House Children and Family Services Committee, House Hearing
Room D. Both Sirita’s and Raphael’s foster parents are expected to
testify at the hearing, as well as others involved in child custody
issues.
“Stories like Sirita’s touch the hearts of most of us very deeply,
because these are our most vulnerable citizens – children who were born
into abusive homes and just can’t protect themselves,” Rep. Hinkle said.
“As adults and leaders in our state, we must reach out and protect these
children. We must not let them be returned again and again to abusive
homes. Their future health and happiness, their stability – sometimes
even their lives – depend on it. And society is better for it.”
Under HB 2156, the state would be required to step in and protect a
child when the parent demonstrates an inability to care for that child.
The bill would terminate parental rights when:
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The child has been
removed three times for abuse or neglect;
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The problems that led
to the child’s removal have not been corrected after 15 months; and
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The parent has had no
contact with the child for one year.
When children are returned
to their parents’ homes, the bill would allow foster parents – who have
already demonstrated their caring for the child – to help the state
ensure the child’s safety. Foster parents would be allowed to visit the
child in the home when it is feasible (i.e., they don’t live out of
state), if the foster parents are willing, and if a judge approves.
House Bill 2156 has bipartisan support.
“I fully recognize the important role of parents, and the necessity of
reuniting families when parents have changed their behavior and can
truly care for their child,” Hinkle said. “But if parents are unwilling
to turn their lives around and act in the child’s best interest, then we
have a responsibility to step in and make sure that child is not only
cared for but also protected. Kids have a right to grow up in a safe
home, and this bill will help make sure that happens.”
# # #
For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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