Sometimes it’s only after unspeakable tragedies occur, that laws are passed aimed at protecting children, like little 5-year-old Talia Williams.
The brutal torture that Talia Williams was forced to endure in her young life is enough to sicken any decent person; the almost-daily punches and whippings over seven months finally killed her on July 16, 2005.
The fact that it came at the hands of her own father and stepmother is beyond heinous. They are now in prison. He for life.
A federal court found him guilty of two counts of capital in Hawaii’s first death-penalty trial since statehood; he was sentenced to life.
Delilah Williams is serving 20 years for Talia’s murder.
IN THIS INSIDER EXCLUSIVE NETWORK TV SPECIAL, “DEATH IN HAWAIIAN PARADISE – TALIA’S LAW ” our News team is on location in Honolulu meeting with, Mark Davis, Partner, Ptr Davis Levin Livingston, who successfully represented Talia’s mother, Tarshia Hampton, and Talia’s Estate, and to discuss the specific legal challenges and strategies to win this case and pass new legislation.
As a result of this case, Mark Davis and Hawaii’s congressional delegation urged new legislation — “Talia’s Law” — to require “mandatory reporters” on all U.S. military bases to report immediately any suspicions of abuse to the relevant state’s child welfare agency.
Talia’s case made it alarmingly clear that the military failed her with a mind-boggling laxity when it came to reporting and intervention. Time after time, red flags that could have — should have — spurred help were ignored or dropped. Talia’s autopsy report stated that she suffered “battered child syndrome.”
It was this glaring lack of response and help for Talia that resulted in a $2 million settlement by the U.S. government with Talia’s mother, Tarshia Williams, and Talia’s estate, for negligence and wrongful death.
“Talia’s law,” introduced by U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, requires the military to report any abuse on base to civilian authorities. The system needed to change.
More than a decade after Talia Williams’s tragic death, there have been more than 29,000 cases of child abuse and neglect in military homes,” Gabbard said in a statement.
“Until now, the same gaps in the military’s reporting requirements that failed to protect Talia and so many other military children remained. Enactment of Talia’s law closes these gaps by requiring the same protections that exist for any other child to also protect children in military families.”
On Dec. 27, 2016, President Obama signed ‘Talia’s law,’ aimed at protecting children on military bases
Mark has earned a reputation as an unyielding trial lawyer who repeatedly represents individuals and families against big companies and the Goliaths of the world. And repeatedly wins.
He has earned the highest respect from citizens and lawyers alike…. as one of the best Trial lawyers in Hawaii and across the United States.
Mark has built a substantial reputation nationwide by consistently winning cases other law firms have turned down.
And his amazing courtroom skills and headline grabbing success rate continue to provide his clients with the results they need……And the results they deserve.
You can reach Mark Davis, Ptr Davis Levin Livingston https://www.davislevin.com/ (808) 740-0633