Babysitter hurts toddler, stays 'protected by law'

intern 11:10 - 25 May 2016

___5074188___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5074188___2016___5___25___12___2e32a870-7d7b-4a1a-be15-0b74045f4f4a-large16x9_jfj4

Alicia Quinn left her son with a babysitter; returning to find him bruised. Despite the suspect's confession, Oregon Police remain powerless to do anything.

Pictures of the bruised toddler, Jacob Quinn, have now gone viral, as his family and sympathisers ask for justice to be granted to the little boy.

Due to a 2012 ruling of the Oregon Supreme Court, it is difficult to prove 'substantial pain' in child abuse cases, as it is believed that victims can not speak for themselves; making it difficult for police to bring charges against the babysitter.

Alicia, the toddler's mother had left him with the babysitter for only two hours back in march, returning to see that the kid had been given a black eye, with bruises on his arm and back.

"It's not fair and I want my son to have justice, and I want everybody else who is dealing with this to be able to come forward and be the voice for the people that need help," said Quinney.

The babysitter admitted to police that he indeed hit Jacob, but he was not arrested, prompting the family to share their frustration on social media, where the pictures of the boy's bruised face quickly got attention.

A petition has now been initiated, asking the Oregon Supreme Court to overturn its 2012 decision.