Kentucky boy's tragic death sparks petition for child abuse reform in Commonwealth

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A young Kentucky boy's tragic death is sparking a new petition circulating online demanding child abuse reform in the Commonwealth.

True crime author Joe Clark, of Morehead, is turning his interest of true crime into action to change the narrative for abused children in Kentucky, reported by FOX56 in Lexington.

“All too often, the people that should be protecting the child, whether it’s the parents, the guardians, the grandparents, or the schoolteacher or the daycare worker, the ones that should be protecting the child are the very ones that are abusing the child,” Clark told FOX56.

Kentucky's child protection laws came into question in August after 10-year-old Jayden Spicer, of Jackson, was found dead, buried in the woods after an almost week-long search for him. He was found less than 20 miles from his home. His mother, 33-year-old Felicia Gross, and stepfather have been indicted with murder and complicity to murder in the 10-year-old's death.

“There’s nothing more innocent than a child,” Clark said. “And if you harm a child, you should be charged with the most severe charge.”

Gross, according to court records, has a past criminal record, including charges of endangering the welfare of a child.

Clark said Kentucky law currently considers endangerment a misdemeanor, allows for convicted abusers to request custody, and only allows capital sentencing if the victim is 12 years or younger.

Clark hopes to change that with a new bill called Jayden's Law. It would protect children under 18, increase penalties for child abuse and manslaughter and close custody loopholes.

“How many more years are we going to continue to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to all of this?” asked Clark. “Somebody has got to say, all right, enough is enough. Let’s take a stand. Let’s protect our kids.”

So far, the online petition has received more than 2,400 signatures.

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