STATEHOUSE (March 4, 2022) — A bill authored by State Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) that would help remove children from abusive homes unanimously passed the Senate this week.
Senate Enrolled Act 410 would allow an unlicensed caregiver of a child to intervene as a concerned party in the event that a child is in need of services in a juvenile court proceeding or if there is a proceeding to terminate the parent-child relationship.
SEA 410 defines an 'unlicensed caregiver' as a relative who is not licensed as a foster and provides care and supervision to a child.
This bill was created after Judah Morgan, a 4-year-old in LaPorte County, was found dead after suffering severe injuries from blunt force trauma in his birth parents' home in October 2021. Judah's foster mother and second cousin, Jenna Hullett, said she was aware of the abuse Judah suffered at the hands of his birth parents and warned the Department of Child Services (DCS) about it multiple time. Unfortunately, DCS allowed Judah to return to his birth parents in spite of the reports of abuse.
Hullett has said that DCS workers in LaPorte County told her twice that they would file a termination of parental rights for Judah's case, but these never came to fruition. Since Judah's death, Hullett has been working to raise awareness and has sought to create a law that would protect children like Judah from abuse.
"SEA 410 would help prevent more cases like Judah's from occurring," Bohacek said. "Caregivers will finally have the opportunity to intervene in a child's case and hopefully provide them with refuge from the abuse they face."
SEA 410 will now be sent to the governor for consideration.
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For a high-resolution photo of Sen. Bohacek, click here.
