Ames legislator chastises colleagues for lack of action on child abuse

A democrat legislator stood in front of a huge photo of a toddler who died of abuse, to chastise republicans for refusing to hire more state child abuse investigators. Senator Johnie Hammond of Ames says the death of Shelby Duis of Spirit Lake should have spurred legislators to action. She says the legislature hasn’t done anything to address the issue of child abuse.Hammond also read the names of the 19 Iowa children who died of abuse last year, as she thought it would be a good reminder of their responsibility.Hammond says nothing’s been done to reduce the workload of social workers who investigate abuse allegations. Republicans say better training for existing staff is more important than hiring more child abuse investigators.