: News

Filed Under:

Advocates Say Maryland Needs Tougher Child Protection Laws

Play associated audio

By Elliott Francis

Child advocates and lawmakers say the death of an 11-year-old girl allegedly abducted from her Maryland home, highlights the need for tougher penalties for sex offenders.

The man charged in that case, 30-year-old Thomas Leggs Jr., is listed on the Maryland and Delaware sex offender registries. In fact, the Delaware registry describes him as ''high risk.''

Jerry Norton, head of 'Citizens for Jessica's Law' in Maryland, tells the Baltimore Sun, this event is clear evidence that child protection laws in the state need to be tougher.

Meanwhile, Maryland state delegate Mike Smigiel expressed frustration over the case. He says he's considering everything from cracking down on plea bargains for defendants like Thomas Leggs, and crafting laws which would allow the wiretapping of convicted sex offenders in Maryland.

NPR

Book News: Kim Jong Un Reportedly Gave 'Mein Kampf' As Gifts

Also: The folly of marathon readings; Tom Wolfe has a new book; VICE apologizes for tasteless photo spread.
WAMU 88.5

After Four Years Of Fighting, D.C. Council Approves New Rules For Food Trucks

The new rules create a long-awaited regulatory framework for what has become a popular and industry made up of over 150 food trucks.

NPR

IRS Staffer: 'What I Did Was Not Targeting'

More interview transcripts from the IRS investigation are released but there's still no evidence of a direct connection to the White House.
NPR

U.S. Automakers Are On A Roll, But Hiring Is Slow And Steady

Profits for the nation's carmakers are on the rise, but after years of doing more with less, higher profits are unlikely to translate into significant numbers of new jobs. There are eight fewer plants and hundreds of thousands fewer workers in the industry than before the Great Recession.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.