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“It’s Not Easy”: An Honest Letter to My Husband on Valentine’s Day

"Here we are, 24 times we have celebrated Valentine’s Day... I feel like I am just lately really getting to know you."

Jimmy Carter: A Life of Faith, Service, and Legacy

Longest-living President Jimmy Carter has lived an incredible life rooted in deep Christian faith. From his time as the 39th President of the United States to his global humanitarian efforts, Jimmy Carter's legacy is one that honors God and country.

Lauren Daigle Returns to the ‘American Idol’ Stage That Rejected Her to Sing Multi-Platinum Hit “Look Up, Child”

Lauren Daigle returned to 'American Idol' to perform her hit song "Look Up, Child" for millions of fans—some in the audience and some watching from home.

How One Mother’s Tragedy Inspired Wyatt’s Law to Combat Child Abuse

Courtesy of Erica Hammel
Erica Hammel and Wyatt's Law
Courtesy of Erica Hammel

Wyatt has endured [four] brain surgeries and [two] eye surgeries since he has been shaken. Not to mention the countless doctor’s appointments, pokes, tests, and outpatient physical, speech, and occupational therapies. He is blind in his left eye permanently, developmentally delayed, slightly cognitively impaired, and suffers from seizures. But he is alive and happy. He is my miracle boy. And I definitely wasn’t going to let what happen to him, happen to another child. That is what made me create Wyatt’s Law.

Erica Hammel and Wyatt's Law
Courtesy of Erica Hammel

Erica Hammel and Wyatt's LawCourtesy of Erica Hammel

Introducing Wyatt’s Law

After doing some research back in 2014, I had found out that no state in the country had a public child abuser registry. It boggled my mind. I knew if this existed when I was going through my divorce, Wyatt could have been protected. So I started an online petition. Once I got 500 signatures, I started writing my local legislators, and the rest, as they say, is history. In October of 2015 the first set of bills of ‘Wyatt’s Law’ were introduced into the Michigan Legislature.

The Impact of Wyatt’s Law on Child Protection

I’m so proud to say Michigan was the very FIRST state in the nation to introduce this type of legislation. Wyatt’s Law would create a public registry for those CONVICTED of abusing a child physically.

Overcoming Challenges: The Battle for Wyatt’s Law

Unfortunately, politics have gotten in the way of Wyatt’s Law’s passing. So we introduced bills again in 2017. This past December, the bills passed the Michigan Senate unanimously. Such a huge victory. It was lame duck though, and we couldn’t get it done on the House side. We are about to introduce the bills of Wyatt’s Law again, for the third time in the next few weeks. I will not give up until this passes. Every time someone tells me ‘no’ or ‘you’ll never make that happen’ it just drives me to push even harder.

Erica Hammel
Erica Hammel
My name is Erica Hammel, I am 30 years old, and live in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. I work part-time for a dental Handpiece company, and my other job is taking care of my son Wyatt who is a survivor of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Wyatt is currently in outpatient 3 times a week, so we stay pretty busy. After what happened to Wyatt, I knew I needed to make a change. No doubt my calling in life has become to protect children and to fight for the rights they don’t have. I am trying to do that through Wyatt’s Law and will continue to do that after the law passes.

“It’s Not Easy”: An Honest Letter to My Husband on Valentine’s Day

"Here we are, 24 times we have celebrated Valentine’s Day... I feel like I am just lately really getting to know you."

Jimmy Carter: A Life of Faith, Service, and Legacy

Longest-living President Jimmy Carter has lived an incredible life rooted in deep Christian faith. From his time as the 39th President of the United States to his global humanitarian efforts, Jimmy Carter's legacy is one that honors God and country.

Lauren Daigle Returns to the ‘American Idol’ Stage That Rejected Her to Sing Multi-Platinum Hit “Look Up, Child”

Lauren Daigle returned to 'American Idol' to perform her hit song "Look Up, Child" for millions of fans—some in the audience and some watching from home.