Law
Makers Pass Foster Care Bill
May 19th,
2004
By James
Goodwin and Matt Wagner
Springfield
News Leader
Jefferson
City, Missouri— The General Assembly approved major changes
to the state foster care system Friday, the result of almost
two years of work since the 2002 death of 2-year-old Dominic
James.
The overhaul addresses both the rights of parents accused of
abuse and neglect, and safeguards for children who suffer mistreatment,
said the bill's proponents.
"I
think we're going to prevent child abuse and ... take better
care of kids who have been through that horrific circumstance
of being abused," said the measure's sponsor, House Speaker
Catherine Hanaway, R-Warson Woods.
Dominic
died in August 2002 after being fatally injured by his foster
father, John W. Dilley Jr. In November, an Osage County jury
found Dilley guilty of felony assault and child abuse resulting
in Dominic's death. He was sentenced in January to 15 years
in prison.
Editors
Note:
Read
the House Summary of the Dominick James Memorial Foster Care
Act Here
