Best chance yet for "Sirita's Law" to pass the Legislature

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By April Zepeda

Summary

It's been two long years since a 4-year-old Lake Stevens girl was beaten to death. Now, several new bills are being introduced to lawmakers in Olympia that could prevent Sirita Sotelo's tragedy from happening to another child.

Story Published: Feb 9, 2007 at 6:49 PM PDT

Story Updated: Feb 9, 2007 at 7:08 PM PDT

Best chance yet for "Sirita's Law" to pass the Legislature
SHORELINE - It's been two long years since a 4-year-old Lake Stevens girl was beaten to death.

Now, several new bills are being introduced to lawmakers in Olympia that could prevent Sirita Sotelo's tragedy from happening to another child.

Since her death, Sirita's former foster father, Gary M. has tried to get Sirita's Law passed. After it stalled in the state Senate last year, he's back in Olympia.

"It's going to happen this session, I'm pretty sure," he said.

Sirita spent almost all of her life in and out of foster homes. Her last placement was with Gary and his wife, where they say she blossomed.

Then the state turned her over to her biological father. A year later she was dead, beaten by her new step-mother in an rage.

Gary is now testifying on several new bills that would help kids like Sirita.

Under the proposals, once a child is removed from their biological home twice, parents would have a hearing to decide if they should get another chance to keep their children.

And parents who have been absent from their kids lives for more than a year and half would also have to go before the judge to decide if their parental rights should be terminated.

"If after 18 months, you don't have your act together, the state must file that you be terminated," Gary said.

The bills would also let foster parents stay in contact with kids who are returned to their biological families, to make the transition easier.

In the two years since Sirita's death, Gary has been to the state capitol and Sirita's grave many times. He and his wife had hoped to adopt her. He says tougher legislation could help other abused and neglected kids, even though it's too late for Sirita.

"I want Sirita back They can't legislate that," he said, "but if I can stop this from happening to any other kid... that's a good thing."