Another Conviction, Another Training, and the Impact of Texas House Bill 1773

Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas!

The last two months have been notably active, highlighting crucial developments in child protection and legal advancements. Recently, a significant case I investigated reached its conclusion when the perpetrator pleaded guilty to Endangering a Child, a state jail felony in Texas punishable by up to two years. In this particular case, the offender was sentenced to serve eight months, having intentionally misled medical professionals, resulting in unnecessary medical procedures — a colonoscopy and endoscopy — on her child.

Read about the case in the Star-Telegram

This case underscores the potential impact of the proposed Texas House Bill 1773. Had this bill been in effect at the time of the offense, the charge would have escalated to a third-degree felony for "Obtaining Unneeded Medical Treatment by Deception for a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual." This legislative proposal aims to specifically criminalize the provision of false medical history by caregivers to secure unnecessary treatments for dependents, marking a pioneering move in U.S. law to directly address Medical Child Abuse.

Texas House Bill 1773 not only sets a legal precedent but also serves as a potential blueprint for other states, fostering a broader legislative recognition of this insidious form of abuse. The prevalence of such cases has risen, paralleling the expansion of the internet and social media platforms, which facilitate easier access to medical information and a wider audience for garnering attention — often the driving motive behind such offenses.

Unlike Child Trafficking, which has seen substantial federal support through funding and targeted initiatives, Medical Child Abuse has not been afforded similar attention. There are no federal grants, victim support programs, or specialized task forces focusing on medical record review to combat this form of abuse. The enactment of Texas House Bill 1773 could be a significant step towards filling this gap, raising public and legislative awareness about Medical Child Abuse.

In addition to following legislative developments, I recently conducted an eight-hour online training session for over 60 child abuse professionals at the Leflore, Oklahoma, Child Advocacy Center. Remarkably, only six attendees had prior training on this type of abuse. The session was well-received, indicating a vital need for increased education and awareness among professionals dealing with child protection.

As we continue to advocate for these vulnerable populations, it is imperative that we equip those on the front lines with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify and combat Medical Child Abuse effectively.

For more insights, updates on child protection laws, or to inquire about training sessions, subscribe to our blog or contact Mike Weber directly.

Wishing everyone a productive and insightful weekend!