State senator wants stricter penalties for child abusers

News

Posted: Jan 26, 2018 / 05:39 PM MST / Updated: Jul 31, 2019 / 11:56 AM MDT

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – State Sen. Greg Baca wants stiffer penalties for people who commit crimes against children.

His new bill would make four main changes to current law, handing out longer sentences to child abusers.

“Current law… really you could beat a child within an inch of its life and the fact is that might not qualify as great bodily harm,” Sen. Greg Baca (R) said.

The bill went through its first committee Friday. If it passes, it would also give stiffer sentences for enticing a child to an isolated area to hurt them.

2018 New Mexico Legislature Headquarters >>

—-Send a Breaking News Tip Report an error or typo Learn about the KRQE apps

More News Stories

Couple married 67 years receives COVID vaccine after diagnosis forced them apart

INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) – Don and Joyce Hoffman have joined the group of Indiana residents vaccinated against COVID-19 after the virus forced them apart for weeks during the summer of 2020 after Joyce got coronavirus.

The Hoffmans have been married for 67 years. “I saw him in the cafeteria, and I thought 'I think he’d be fun to know sometime' and here I got married,” said Joyce Hoffman, who received the COVID vaccine.

Read the Full Article

‘Spectacular’ bright-orange bat species discovered

(NEXSTAR) - Scientists have announced the discovery of a new bat species, found high in the mountains of West Africa.

With its big ears and retracting wings, the new species certainly looks similar to its previously described bat comrades. But one thing makes Myotis nimbaensis stand out from the pack: It boasts bright orange fur and black wings.

Read the Full Article

Dog returns to her family after a 12-year journey

HONOLULU (KHON) - Twelve years ago, the Smith family of Honolulu had a one-eyed, black and white pit bull named Zoe that meant everything to their family.

"She used to sleep by me at night," said Ashley Smith, who was just a teenager when Zoe was a puppy. "She used to push Ashley off the bed," said Sherrie Smith, Ashley's mom.