Legislation to create a public registry of child abusers, spurred by the death of New Paris toddler Kirk Coleman, is another step closer to passage with a favorable recommendation from an Indiana House committee. If approved by the full House, “Kirk’s Law”, which already has been unanimously passed by the Senate, would go to Governor Pence for his signature.
“Kirk’s Law,” would create a public online registry of those convicted of child abuse, much like online sex offender registries. The proposed law is named after a 19-month-old boy who died in October 2014, allegedly at the hands of his caretaker, Jackie Rolson of New Paris, who faces a charge of felony battery on a child resulting in death. Afterward, the boy’s family members learned Rolston, had previously been convicted in connection with a 2006 incident involving another child. Rolston is set to stand trial in June.
