Lawmakers propose restrictions
on those convicted of assault of a child

Eryk's Law moves closer to reality

February 20, 2009

OLYMPIA -- It's the worst nightmare of every mother and father: you leave your infant son with a babysitter and come home to find that baby almost dead.

Pierce and Russell Woodruff lived through it when 33-year-old family friend Matthew Christiansen watched their son Eryk, who was 15-months-old at the time. The man beat the child, leaving him with broken bones and serious brain injuries. Doctors told the parents they didn't think Eryk would live.

Matthew Christiansen pled guilty and is serving 10 years in prison. The Woodruffs want to do everything they can to prevent the same tragedy from happening again.

"What happened to these good people and their baby is appalling," said Rep. Christopher Hurst (D-Enumclaw), the chair of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee. "I served for 25 years as a police officer and detective, so I've heard and seen many horrible things, but to beat a helpless child to the brink of death is unthinkable."

Hurst met with the Woodruffs on Thursday and talked about what lawmakers could do. The Woodruffs told Hurst they want those convicted of first-degree assault of a child to face severe punishment and not be allowed, by law, to work with children -- as child care providers or teachers, for example -- or to serve as coaches or youth group leaders like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Hurst worked with the Woodruffs and the lawmakers from the district where the Woodruff's live -- Representatives Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish) and Mike Hope (R-Lake Stevens) -- on legislation (HB 2279) to achieve those goals.

Dunshee said he was happy to find a bipartisan solution to this issue.

"It's rare to find such cooperation across the aisles and across the rotunda," Dunshee said. "I appreciate how everyone come together yesterday and got behind this legislation to better protect kids across this state."

The Woodruffs then walked with all three lawmakers to the code reviser's office, where they dropped the bill into the hopper.

Due to different deadlines in the House, Hurst also reached out to his Republican seatmate, Sen. Pam Roach (R-Bonney Lake), who agreed to sponsor Eryk's Law in the Senate.

"I want to thank Pierce and Russell for having the courage to speak out and tell their story," Hurst said. "You can't help but be moved when you hear their words. And I want to thank all the other lawmakers who've agreed to work for Eryk's Law -- Republicans and Democrats, representatives and senators. I believe we have a good piece of legislation now that could help prevent tragedies like this from happening."

Hurst added that he wanted to clear up misconceptions spread by media reports and comments.
"It's wrong to say that violent felons like Matthew Christiansen could get out after only serving half of their sentence," Hurst said. "That only applies to non-violent drug offenders. Under current law, a judge could have sentenced Matthew Christiansen to up to life in prison for this crime, and violent offenders are only eligible for 10 percent good time, which a judge can waive. It is my understanding from the Woodruffs that as part of Christiansen's plea bargain, he waived any chance of good time and has to serve the full ten years."

While current law is tough on those convicted of assault on a child, Hurst said it was important for the proposed law to examine giving judges more freedom in setting exceptional sentences for those convicted of crimes like this.