State House passes child abuse, neglect measure

Friday, March 3rd 2006, 6:33 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma House has passed a bill that would provide more resources to child protection workers and hold judges more accountable in child protection cases.

The bill passed without opposition Thursday and was sent to the state Senate, where it is also expected to pass.

The measure is named Kelsey's Law for Kelsey Smith-Briggs, a 2-year-old who died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen last October while her care was being monitored by child welfare workers. The state Medical Examiner's Office says her body was covered with bruises.

Kelsey's grandmother, Kathy Briggs, says she doesn't know whether the legislation passed by the House would have saved her granddaughter's life but hopes it will help others.