Ky. Passes Social Worker Safeguards

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Reacting to the slaying of a social worker, the Legislature approved a bill Tuesday to lessen the dangers faced by others doing the job.

The measure requires visits between birth parents and abused or neglected children to take place in secure locations. Legislators pushed the Boni bill, named after slain social worker Boni Frederick, through on the last day of the session.

Frederick died in October after being stabbed and beaten when she took a 10-month-old boy for a visit at the house of his mother, Renee Terrell, 33.

Prosecutors say Terrell and her 23-year-old boyfriend, Christopher Luttrell, killed Frederick, stole her car and kidnapped the boy. He was found safe and returned to foster care after a three-day manhunt.

Terrell and Luttrell have pleaded not guilty to murder, kidnapping, robbery and theft.

The measure appropriates $6 million to institute safety procedures, including opening visitation centers and hiring 60 to 80 more social workers.

Money was also set aside for other safety measures, which could include two-way radios with panic buttons for social workers, said state Rep. Jim Wayne, a Louisville Democrat.