One of the most heinous crimes in the eyes of district attorneys could soon carry a stiffer penalty, as a Fayette County lawmaker proposes the death penalty for child rapists.
In Pennsylvania, child sex crimes are some of the most serious cases for law enforcement officials.
“For me, outside of homicide where a life is taken, child sex crimes are the next most important cases in my office,” said Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible. “In those situations, you’ve ruined a child’s innocence.”
But sometimes, the penalty for offenders is just 10 years. That’s why Fayette County State Representative Ryan Warner is advocating for a law that would allow the death penalty for those convicted of child rape.
Warner’s proposal comes in response to recent proposals in the Pennsylvania House legislation, which would make it easier to parole offenders with felony convictions, including child rape.