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February 18, 2005
Senate votes to increase child abuse penalties
February 18, 2005 [Associated Press]
SANTA FE -- The Senate wants to increase the criminal penalty for child abusers who kill their victims.
The Senate voted to increase the punishment for intentionally abusing a child, resulting in the child's death.
The punishment would be life in prison -- which in New Mexico means 30 years.
Current law doesn't distinguish between abuse that results in great bodily harm and abuse that results in death.
The current penalty is 18 years in prison.
The measure passed on a vote of 30-to-8.
It now goes to the House.
Posted by Nancy at February 18, 2005 11:28 PM