SC Lawmaker Wants Jail For All Child Abusers

A South Carolina state senator wants to
require jail for anyone convicted of causing serious injury to
children.
    Greenville Republican Sen. Mike Fair told The State newspaper
his bill would require a mandatory prison sentence for child care
providers who hurt children. Fair said he wants longer minimum
sentences for convicted child care providers. Fair cited a Columbia
case in which a home day care provider got no prison time after
admitting to seriously harming a baby.
    Causing serious injury to a child is a felony that carries a
maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, but there is no minimum
sentence.
    Talisha Lavette Smith was given five years of probation after
pleading guilty last month. Authorities say Smith slapped the
7-month-old girl so hard it caused bleeding in her brain.