Lawmaker plans Kelsey Law to reform child protection

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The abuse-related death of a 2-year-old girl is prompting a state lawmaker to push for reform of the state's child protection system. <br/><br/>Representative Kris Steele of Shawnee

Monday, December 26th 2005, 5:39 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The abuse-related death of a 2-year-old girl is prompting a state lawmaker to push for reform of the state's child protection system.

Representative Kris Steele of Shawnee says he wants to name the legislation after Kelsey Smith-Briggs. The Meeker girl died on October 11th after nine months of alleged intermittent abuse. The girl sustained a broken collar bone, two broken legs and numerous bruises.

Steele says he's one of many lawmakers who received a mass e-mail from Kelsey's paternal grandmother months before the girl's death. The e-mail complained of child abuse and asked for help to protect her.

Among other things, Steele says he wants to give the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth more authority to intervene in abuse cases.