This comes once again from The Republican, the one source always on top of this case.
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BOSTON - Gov. Deval L. Patrick yesterday signed a law that overhauls the state's child welfare system.
Flanked by legislators and administration officials, Patrick approved a bill that imposes new rules for preventing abuse of children who have already received some contact with state social workers.
Legislators passed the bill on July 1.
Patrick said the new law is a giant step forward.
"Nobody wants tragedies to repeat themselves," Patrick said at a Statehouse event. "No one does."
The new law was crafted in response to cases such as that of Haleigh Poutre of Westfield, now 14, who fell into a coma after a severe beating. Her adoptive mother and stepfather were charged with assaulting her.
Poutre is currently in a Boston rehabilitation hospital. She has been recovering and may testify against her step-father, Jason D. Strickland, who has pleaded innocent to assault and battery charges.
Her adoptive mother, Holli A. Strickland, died in what West Springfield police said was a murder-suicide with her grandmother.
Sen. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield, said the new law may contain enough safeguards to hinder future abuse cases similar to that of Haleigh Poutre.
"We're hopeful that enough measures have been put in place so you won't see these egregious cases occurring again," said Knapik, who attended the bill signing....................
Governor signs tougher child abuse law
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A defense lawyer is seeking a venue change for the trial of Haleigh Poutre's stepfather, who's accused of beating her and causing brain injury in 2005.
Prosecutors have said they hope Haleigh, now 14 and living at a rehabilitation hospital in Boston, will testify at the Oct. 16 trial of Jason Strickland. Strickland has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery.
Once in Coma, Girl Expected to Testify in Court
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