Michigan mothers, lawmakers stand behind push to create registry for convicted child abusers

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – St. Clair Shores mother Erica Hammel describes her son Wyatt as a living, breathing miracle.

"I tell him his smile is going to change the world, because it changed mine," she said.

But Hammel tears up talking about the moment she realized she may never see that smile again.

In November 2013, Wyatt suffered brain damage and other injuries after he was shaken by Rachel Edwards, who was dating Wyatt's father.  

"To give you an example of the severities of his injuries, the prosecutor's office told me that it actually came in as a homicide case because they didn't expect him to make it," Hammel said.

Part 2: Press conference on Wyatt's Law

Hammel and her husband separated when Wyatt was 4 months old. Hammel said she had concerns about her son spending time with Edwards, but didn't find anything alarming in an online search of Edwards' name.

However, after Edwards was charged with Wyatt's abuse, it was revealed that Edwards had two prior child abuse convictions in 2011.  Edwards was sentenced earlier this year to 33 months to 10 years in prison in Wyatt's case. She was sentenced to probation in the first two cases.  

The first two cases involved Christyne Kadlitz's son, Travis.

"I tried very hard to try to let the courts know what type of person Rachel Edwards was, and she was able to get her hands on another child. This could have been prevented if we had some sort of research so everybody else could know the things that she'd done," Kadlitz said.


-- Rachel Edwards

Hammel said she believes she could have shielded her son from the abuse if she had known about Edwards' history, that's why she's pushing for the creation of a public registry for those who have been convicted of child abuse.

"It's important to know everything about anyone who is around your child," Hammel said. "If we don't step up to protect them, this will continue to happen."

She likens the child abuse registry to that of the already existing sex offender registry.

Parents would be able to search and view the names, picture, addresses, conviction history and other relevant information.

An online petition at Change.org has more than 16,000 signatures. 

Three lawmakers are also working on legislature: Sarah Roberts, D-St. Clair Shores, Derek Miller, D-Warren, and Vanessa Guerra, D-Saginaw. They're backing a three-bill package: House Bill 4973, 4974 and 4975.

Wyatt turns 3 on Monday.

Hammel said he has permanent effects from the abuse and will continually need special care.

"I always say I'm going to continue to try to give Wyatt the most normal life within his limits. I don't want what happened to him to define him. I want him to be known how he came out of this," Hammel said. "Hopefully Wyatt's law will be a big positive thing."

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