In wake of child death, petition seeks abuser registry
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Outrage has turned to action, after the death of a Taft child. An online petition has started, proposing a new law that would create a registry for abusers, similar to the Megan's Law site for sex offenders.
The new petition has 107 signers so far. It's on a website that appears to host a number of petition drives.
This one is called Stop Child Abuse. The petition states the goal is preventing abuse.
"In this new law any person convicted of any form of domestic abuse, even being classified as a misdemeanor would be required to register with your county and then be placed on an offender watch program, (similar to a sexual abuse county watch site)," the page reads.
According to the website, this petition is sponsored by Daniel K. Williams. Eyewitness News sent a message to Williams, but there's been no response yet.
Shopping in Taft on Thursday, Davella Wheeler said she hadn't heard about the petition. But, she had just been talking over the idea of some kind of registry.
"People are starting to talk about it," Wheeler said. She had just discussed the idea with a friend, "An hour ago, we were talking about it," she said.
It's the death of 3-year-old Trinity Hanna that has people talking. The child died Jan. 24, after her mother brought her to the hospital.
The coroner's office reported the child died due to blunt force trauma to her head and abdomen.
The mother's live-in boyfriend, Eric Foster, now faces charges including murder, willful cruelty and assault.
Investigators say Foster is also responsible for severe burns Trinity suffered. And he's suspected of slamming her into a bicycle and into her high chair.
Foster also reportedly told detectives he pushed the child into a coffee table on Jan. 24.
Additional reports show investigators found Foster was suspected in a child abuse case in 2008 where he reportedly threw a young child at the woman he was living with at that time.
Officers reported this was not the same woman as Trinity's mother. They also stated that child hit the floor and was injured. But, the case appears to be still pending, and no charges were filed at that time.
Word of a registry appealed to people in Taft who are worried about keeping track of anyone who injures a child.
"When there's any involvement in child abuse, they should have to register so people are aware of that," Lisa Hooker said.
"If they're abusing, it's the same thing as being a child molester," Billy Harris said. "They're hurting the child."
The petition also proposes that a child abuser would be carefully monitored. "You would be required to report to your county government agency at minimum, bi-weekly," the petition reads.
It also outlines what information about a child abuser would go onto the proposed watch site.
Eyewitness News contacted local state lawmakers to get their reaction. Assembly member Shannon Grove's office responded, saying she has no opinion, and adding it would be important to get input from other agencies.
From the Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council, Karen Cooley has concerns about the idea.
"I don't really know how much of an impact that would have," Cooley told Eyewitness News. "This happens in very intimate relationships, it's not just somebody on the streets who is attacking children."
But others wonder if the idea can protect neighborhood children.
"I can see some protection there, if you have kids and you don't know your neighbors that well," Assistant Kern County District Attorney Scott Spielman said.
But, he also worries how a registry would be paid for.
The petition includes one more idea. "Also any abuse committed on an individual under the age of 18 years of age would become a violent felony," it reads.
Davella Wheeler likes what she heard about the proposal.
"I don't want my kids to have a chance of being abused," Wheeler said. "Definitely, I think there should be some kind of registry for abusers."
The new petition has 107 signers so far. It's on a website that appears to host a number of petition drives.
This one is called Stop Child Abuse. The petition states the goal is preventing abuse.
"In this new law any person convicted of any form of domestic abuse, even being classified as a misdemeanor would be required to register with your county and then be placed on an offender watch program, (similar to a sexual abuse county watch site)," the page reads.
According to the website, this petition is sponsored by Daniel K. Williams. Eyewitness News sent a message to Williams, but there's been no response yet.
Shopping in Taft on Thursday, Davella Wheeler said she hadn't heard about the petition. But, she had just been talking over the idea of some kind of registry.
"People are starting to talk about it," Wheeler said. She had just discussed the idea with a friend, "An hour ago, we were talking about it," she said.
It's the death of 3-year-old Trinity Hanna that has people talking. The child died Jan. 24, after her mother brought her to the hospital.
The coroner's office reported the child died due to blunt force trauma to her head and abdomen.
The mother's live-in boyfriend, Eric Foster, now faces charges including murder, willful cruelty and assault.
Investigators say Foster is also responsible for severe burns Trinity suffered. And he's suspected of slamming her into a bicycle and into her high chair.
Foster also reportedly told detectives he pushed the child into a coffee table on Jan. 24.
Additional reports show investigators found Foster was suspected in a child abuse case in 2008 where he reportedly threw a young child at the woman he was living with at that time.
Officers reported this was not the same woman as Trinity's mother. They also stated that child hit the floor and was injured. But, the case appears to be still pending, and no charges were filed at that time.
Word of a registry appealed to people in Taft who are worried about keeping track of anyone who injures a child.
"When there's any involvement in child abuse, they should have to register so people are aware of that," Lisa Hooker said.
"If they're abusing, it's the same thing as being a child molester," Billy Harris said. "They're hurting the child."
The petition also proposes that a child abuser would be carefully monitored. "You would be required to report to your county government agency at minimum, bi-weekly," the petition reads.
It also outlines what information about a child abuser would go onto the proposed watch site.
Eyewitness News contacted local state lawmakers to get their reaction. Assembly member Shannon Grove's office responded, saying she has no opinion, and adding it would be important to get input from other agencies.
From the Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council, Karen Cooley has concerns about the idea.
"I don't really know how much of an impact that would have," Cooley told Eyewitness News. "This happens in very intimate relationships, it's not just somebody on the streets who is attacking children."
But others wonder if the idea can protect neighborhood children.
"I can see some protection there, if you have kids and you don't know your neighbors that well," Assistant Kern County District Attorney Scott Spielman said.
But, he also worries how a registry would be paid for.
The petition includes one more idea. "Also any abuse committed on an individual under the age of 18 years of age would become a violent felony," it reads.
Davella Wheeler likes what she heard about the proposal.
"I don't want my kids to have a chance of being abused," Wheeler said. "Definitely, I think there should be some kind of registry for abusers."
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