Laurel Highlands Today

HARRISBURG – Citing an increase in cases involving the torture of a child, including one in Fayette County earlier this year, Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette) has introduced legislation establishing the offense of child torture in the Commonwealth.

"Sometimes, the horror these children experience goes beyond abuse, and we need to give our law enforcement officers and the judicial system the tools they need to ensure the punishment fits the crime," stated Warner. "It’s time we recognize some of these crimes truly do rise to the level of torture."

Warner pointed to the case in Fayette County where a couple was arrested for the alleged torture of their 6-year-old daughter. The child was reportedly beaten, starved, locked in a dog crate covered in urine and feces, forced to eat dog food, shot with a BB gun, and neglected in terms of medical care for over three years. Warner expressed disbelief at the actions, saying, "This case defies explanation, and as a father, I cannot fathom how parents who have a responsibility to care for and protect their child could do this to her."

Fayette County District Attorney Michael A. Aubele commended Warner for introducing House Bill 2181, stating, "The despicable actions against a child in Fayette County earlier this year have brought light to a glaring weakness in our criminal statutes; specifically, the lack of a law targeting child torture."

The proposed House Bill 2181 aims to establish the offense of child torture in Pennsylvania, addressing gaps in the law where a child may suffer mental trauma or torture without resulting in serious bodily injury. If passed, the bill would hold individuals accountable for intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly torturing a child under 18 years old, defining torture as a range of abusive acts.

Representative Warner's bill outlines that a person convicted of child torture would face a third-degree felony charge without bodily injury to the victim, punishable by up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000. In cases where the victim sustains bodily injury, the offense would escalate to a first-degree felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $25,000.

The legislation responds to a pressing need to address child torture cases and provide law enforcement with the necessary legal tools to prosecute such heinous crimes.