AG candidate Beshear offers plan to combat child abuse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Democrat Andy Beshear says he would create a division in the attorney general’s office to crack down on child abuse if he is elected as Kentucky’s top law enforcement officer in November.

Beshear presented a seven-point plan Monday to combat child abuse. He says Kentucky has one of the nation’s highest child abuse rates.

Beshear says the child abuse division would bring together investigators, prosecutors and policy experts. The division would work with local prosecutors and law enforcement to punish child abusers, sexual predators and human traffickers.

The Democrat says state law regulating caretakers should be extended to include summer camps.

His plan also calls for a review of the state’s foster care system.

Beshear, the son of Gov. Steve Beshear, is facing Republican Whitney Westerfield in the race for attorney general.

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