Erica Hammel is a single mom from Michigan. After separating from her husband, Erica had been sharing custody with her infant son's father.
The very first time she met her ex-husband’s new live-in girlfriend, however, Erica's gut told her something was "off." At the time, there was no way for her to obtain proof of the fact this girlfriend had two prior child abuse convictions.
In 2013, Erica received a gut-punching phone call in the middle of the night. Her worst suspicion had become a reality; her 1-year-old son Wyatt had been hospitalized.
The ex-husband's girlfriend had shaken Wyatt to the point he was left with a fractured skull and permanent brain damage. Though he has undergone multiple surgeries, Wyatt remains partially blind and cognitively impaired.
Erica wanted justice and positive change for Wyatt and for abused children everywhere. For four years, she has tirelessly worked to lobby lawmakers in the effort to establish a public child abuse registry in Michigan. Such a registry could prevent this nightmare from happening to other families. Eventually the Michigan state Senate passed Wyatt's Law.
While Wyatt's abuser served her time and was released from prison, Wyatt will suffer the consequences of the abuse for his entire lifetime. But Wyatt's Law will help to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other kids.
