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Families, nurses and social workers share harrowing accounts in support of Benjie's Law
Summary
Multiple witnesses — including a hospital social worker, an adoptive mother and a licensed psychologist — told the committee that timely safety reviews for infants in documented high‑risk situations could prevent deaths like that of "Benjie."
Several people with firsthand experience told the committee why House Bill 776 should pass.
Gabriela Messick, a hospital social worker in Nampa, said hospitals sometimes encounter newborns who test positive for drugs or have parents with histories of custody loss. "For the small number of infants entering clearly high risk situations, a timely safety review can make an enormous difference," she said.
Tracy Caudill recounted arranging for propane deliveries and trying to get law enforcement and DHW to check on a newborn; she said officials told her the case did not meet a high enough priority on a weekend and that no one checked the infant. "That lack of urgency has stayed with me," Caudill said, and she told the committee the infant died about 24 hours later.
Dr. Kylie Billingsley, a licensed psychologist who submitted case packets, told senators prior evaluations had identified Benjie's parents as unfit and that the bill is a measured step to require a rapid safety review without automatically removing children. "A safety review does not always mean removing a child. Sometimes it means connecting parents with the services that they need," she said.
Speakers repeatedly contrasted these personal accounts with the statutory gaps they said allowed infants to be discharged without prompt verification. Witnesses urged that when credible, documented concerns exist about newborn safety, the state must act quickly to verify and respond.
