RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The mother of a severely injured child says she hopes a proposed North Carolina law will lengthen punishments for abuse.
Kirbi Davenport of Concord brought her daughter to a Legislative Building news conference Thursday to discuss a House proposal.
"Kilah's Law" would require longer sentences for felony child abuse convictions. The maximum penalty for the most serious crime would increase from roughly 15 years to 33 years. A judge also would make clear on the offender's record that a child was the victim.
Kilah was 3 years old last May when authorities say she was severely beaten and almost died in Union County. Her stepfather is charged with felony child abuse and faces a court date next month.
