My daughter, Egypt, was only a year old when she was shaken and abused by her biological father in 2015. This horrific act led to a life of suffering for my innocent child who recently passed away at the tender age of ten due to injuries inflicted upon her years ago. Her father, convicted for his actions, is serving an 18-year sentence but will be released in 2030 due to current laws that have a statute of limitations on homicide.

This is not justice. It's time we recognize that homicide is homicide, regardless of when death occurs as a result of criminal actions. The law must reflect the reality that some victims succumb to their injuries years after the crime has been committed.

In Greenville, SC and across our nation, there are countless other victims like Egypt whose assailants evade full accountability because our legal system fails to acknowledge delayed deaths resulting from criminal acts as ongoing crimes.

According to data from The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS), approximately one out of every four children who are victims of shaken baby syndrome dies[1]. These children deserve justice too - even if their death comes years after the abuse.

We urge lawmakers in South Carolina and at the federal level to amend existing laws so they accurately reflect all instances of homicide - including those where death occurs long after initial harm has been inflicted. Let's ensure no more families have their grief compounded by legal loopholes that allow perpetrators off with lesser sentences than they deserve.

Please sign this petition today and help us bring about much-needed change in our justice system for Egypt and all other victims like her.