I was granted guardianship of my granddaughter, who was removed by DCF from her mother due to a case of neglect and abuse. DCF closed their case once guardianship was in place.

Despite her distressing past, the mother went on to have another baby in January 2024 with the same man who physically abused my granddaughter. In May 2024, the baby tragically succumbed to a suspicious death, which is currently under investigation by the District Attorney. The baby was not automatically on DCF’s radar because the previous case was closed.

Several cases like these are unfortunately not isolated incidents. According to Massachusetts Department of Children & Families, there is a significant number of parents with a history of child neglect or abuse who end up having more children. It's high time that comprehensive legislation is put in place to prevent future occurrences of such heartbreaking incidents.

We urge the Massachusetts Senate and House Representatives to establish a bill obligating the Department of Children & Families (DCF) to be notified whenever an individual with history of child neglect or abuse (in an open or closed DCF case) gives birth. This notification system will ensure that DCF can intervene early on, potentially saving countless innocent lives from being harmed or endangered unnecessarily.

Being a guardian and personally witnessing such a tragic life story unfold, I, like any other concerned citizen, plead for the swift implementation of this bill. We have an urgent responsibility to protect our children and offer them a safe and loving environment. We must eradicate child abuse in Massachusetts. Your signature can help implement this crucial bill. Please sign this petition.