By Jeff Mullin, Enid News & Eagle

The life of Kelsey Smith-Briggs was short and brutish.
She suffered a broken collarbone and two broken legs, as well as numerous bumps and bruises.
Abuse was suspected, but never proven. Kelsey was taken away from her mother, but ultimately returned.
On Oct. 11, 2005, she died, the victim of murder, according to the state medical examiner. She suffered blunt force trauma to her abdomen, genital area, head, body and limbs. She was 2 years old.
Her stepfather, Michael Lee Porter, 25, has been charged with her murder.
Her mother, Raye Dawn Porter, 26, remains a suspect.
The system that was supposed to protect Kelsey Smith-Briggs, a blonde, bright-eyed youngster with a sweet smile, failed her.
In an attempt to save the life of future Kelseys, Republican leaders in the Oklahoma House have created a bill designed to strengthen the state’s child protection system.
The bill, called the Kelsey Briggs Child Protection Act, is “designed to increase accountability,” said House Speaker Todd Hiett.
The measure would empower the Department of Human Services to request a hearing on child placement decisions. Now, only a child’s attorney or district attorney can request such a hearing. It would require judges to fill out forms to explain facts and findings of law and the rationale behind their child placement decisions.
The bill would give parents greater access to DHS decisions and case records, would give the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation authority to investigate cases upon DHS request. There also would be financial incentives for case workers to receive
continuing education, as well as funds to lighten DHS workers’ case loads, which are traditionally heavy.
Democrats are putting together similar legislation.
We applaud the Legislature’s action to try and improve the way the state handles child placement decisions and allegations of abuse.
Had similar legislation been in place last fall, Kelsey Smith-Briggs might be a healthy, happy little girl today, instead of the symbol of a failedsystem.