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New child protection law in action
After learning about a case in Oregon City where an infant was allegedly abused by his day care provider, State Representative Linda Flores (R-Clackamas) said, “This is a great example of why we need this new law in Oregon.” Flores added, “Up until this year, no state agency routinely investigated cases like this; now we have new oversight that will hopefully protect other children from harm.”House Bill 3113, drafted by Flores and State Representative Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass), passed unanimously in the Oregon Legislature during the 2007 Legislative Session. It requires the Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Protective Services Division (CPS), to look into accusations of abuse at day care facilities. Prior to this new law, DHS would not step in unless specifically requested to assist local law enforcement. In the April, 2008, Oregon City case, a 33-year old woman was arrested for Third Degree Assault and Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree. Police say the suspect was frustrated with a four-month old boy in her care and picked him up by the arm. She heard a popping noise and tossed him on the ground. The victim’s mother took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a spinal fracture to his right arm. Representative Maurer said, “This deeply disturbing case brings up more questions than answers. While the Legislature made strides in the 2007 session in protecting our most vulnerable members of society, we clearly must continue to scrutinize the systems and hold those responsible to account.” Maurer and Flores began working on this issue after a similar case was reported in Grants Pass. The Oregon City woman was not licensed by the state and was apparently providing care illegally according to the Child Care Division, at the Oregon Employment Department. The woman did, however, clear the screening process under the agency’s Criminal History Registry. The Department is still trying to figure out how many children she may have been caring for at her home. DHS is investigating to see if other children may have been harmed or at risk. Flores emphasized, “There are thousands of great day care operators across Oregon providing quality care for our families. When something goes wrong in one of these facilities, the proper agencies need to investigate; our kids deserve no less.” This issue is especially important to Flores who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and a member of the Oregon Commission for Child Care. Maurer explained that he and Flores will, “continue to ask the tough questions and propose changes to prevent the likelihood that ill-equipped people are caring for our children and to root out abusers before tragedy strikes."
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