Messmer Column: Protecting Hoosier Children

Local Sources- On this weeks Messmer Column, State Senator Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) discusses Protecting Hoosier Children.

One of the most important roles of government is ensuring the safety of its citizens. This is particularly important when we are talking about the welfare of Hoosier children.

In an ideal world, all children would be loved and cared for under the roof of their mother and father. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Just last year, Judah Morgan, a 4-year-old in LaPorte County, passed away due to injuries inflicted upon him by his birth parents.

This happened, in part, because Judah's prior caretaker could not be involved in the custody case.

Judah was being cared for by a family member, or what is known as an "unlicensed caregiver" before the Department of Child Services returned him to his birth parents. This caregiver was aware of the abuse that awaited him in his birth home, but had no legal standing to present that evidence to the court.

In order to prevent such a devastating loss from happening again, I voted in favor of Senate Enrolled Act 410, also known as Judah's Law. With SEA 410, a child's caregiver can play an active role in filing motions and providing information to the court even if they are not a licensed foster parent. This will ensure a judge has all of the relevant facts to make the decision they believe is the best for the child.

Judah's Law will have a major effect on foster children throughout the state and could potentially save lives. This is an important step toward further protecting the young people in our state, and I look forward to seeing the positive effect it has going forward.

If you suspect a child is a victim of abuse or neglect, contact the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-800-5556.

As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-382-9467.