Wednesday, September 12, 2012 - 1:38pm
New child abuse law takes effect in Delaware
Updated Wednesday, September 12, 2012 - 5:48pm
Can parents now be prosecuted in Delaware for spanking their children?
That's the concern of some critics of a new law aimed at strengthening prosecution of child abuse cases, which was signed Wednesday by Governor Markell.
But Attorney General Beau Biden tells WDEL that's not what this measure is about.
"This will not do anything to interfere with a parent's right or ability to parent as they see fit, but it also makes it clear that if you abuse a child in any way, shape or form, we're going to have a statute that we're going to be able to use to protect kids," says Biden.
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Supporters of the law say it doesn't outlaw spanking or prohibit parents from using reasonable and appropriate discipline.
The law creates a new felony of second-degree child abuse, which includes intentionally or recklessly injuring a child who is 3 years old or younger.
Governor Markell says in this day and age, a measure like this is desperately needed.
"We don't live in a perfect world, and unfortunately, we continue to hear about cases where children have been abused. It's something that makes all of us sick, frankly, and so we just need to continue to work together to do everything we can to keep the children of Delaware safe," says Markell.
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Officials say this will help prosecutors win cases involving babies, toddlers and disabled children who are unable to describe what happened to them.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright © May 22, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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