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Queens legislators press for tougher law in fatal child abuse cases

By Scott Sieber

State Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Flushing) joined with state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R- Glendale) and the district attorneys from Brooklyn and Staten Island Thursday afternoon to call upon fellow legislators and law enforcement officials to support new legislation that would punish those accused of aggravated murder of a child as a major felony.

The new law would apply to parents or guardians who kill a child younger than 18 and would increase the penalty from the current maximum of 25 years in prison to life without the possibility of parole.

The legislation is currently being circulated through both houses for sponsors, and officials said it should be introduced within the week.