Serious Penalties for Child Abuse

Rep. Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens, Snohomish Leg Dist 44, introduced legislation Wednesday, Jan. 28, to increase penalties for people who abuse children under the age of 13, and limit their interaction with children.

House Bill 1724 would increase the penalty for first-time offenders from eight to 10 years to 10 to 18 years. Eight years of the sentence must be served in prison, regardless of good behavior. Repeat offenders would face a sentence from 11 to 33 years under the proposed legislation.

Hope said he would like to name the bill after Eryk Woodruff, a then 15-month-old boy from Lake Stevens who was nearly beaten to death by a family friend babysitting the toddler. Woodruff's abuser was sentenced to the maximum 10 years in prison, but may be able to get out in five years with good behavior.

"Eryk's parents did not know if their baby boy would live. In addition to a broken arm, jaw and ribs, Eryk had a serious skull fracture. Thank God, he survived, with his parents by his side," Hope said. "Their greatest fear now is that the abuser will be released from prison and allowed to work with other children. I want to make sure that doesn't happen."

Another part of the bill would prevent convicted abusers from working, paid or volunteer, with children under the age of 13.

"As a Seattle police officer, my job often comes after this abuse has occurred. Now as a legislator, I can help prevent future abuse," Hope said. "It's an honor to be able to bring this proposal to the Legislature."

The bill has bipartisan support and was referred to the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee, where it awaits a hearing.