A new registry is online that tracks people in Indiana who have been convicted of crimes against children.
The Child Abuse Registry was created as part of a law passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016. The law, known as Kirk’s Law, was created after a child died in the hands of a care provider who had a previous conviction for neglect of a dependent in Elkhart County.
Kosciusko County Prosecutor Dan Hampton tells the Times Union the website doesn’t provide information that wasn’t already public, but the difference is accessibility. Instead of coming to the justice building to look up someone to see if they have a conviction, a person can turn straight to the internet.
Hampton said he thinks the new law will help people.
“It’s great if you’re just going to have someone watch your kids for a couple hours,” Hampton said.
Crimes listed include neglect of a dependent, child selling, sex offenses committed against a child and battery against a child. The registry will include the person’s name, age, last known city of residence, a photograph if available, and description of the crime.
The state Office of Judicial Administration is responsible for maintaining and updating the website. Currently, the registry provides information going back to July 2012.
The law requires the database must be online by July 1.
