Lawmaker to introduce legislation aimed at closing PFA loopholes

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — A lawmaker said she’s set to introduce legislation next week that's aimed at closing loopholes in protection from abuse orders that will be named in honor of a Washington County woman who was killed by her husband.

Kathy Boehmer told Channel 11 News that she has filed two PFAs to protect herself, but she said the piece of paper isn’t enough right now.

“(A) PFA is not worth the paper it’s written on,” she said.

Boehmer was one of a dozen who attended a community watch meeting Wednesday about domestic violence in Canonsburg, the community where Dalia Sabae and a Canonsburg police officer were killed in a domestic violence incident in November.

Police said months before Sabae’s death, Tierne Ewing was killed at the hands of her estranged husband, who had ripped off his ankle monitor and kidnapped her.

11 Investigates exposed PFA loopholes earlier this month, including problems with those who are supposed to turn over weapons. A state report also showed an issue with the bail system.

Sen. Camera Bartolotta said she’s now proposing legislation in Ewing’s name to help close that gap.

“This risk assessment would be up to the judge’s discretion, look into background, previous crimes, that would give the judge the option to say, ‘I think it'd be a danger if we let this person out,’” she said.

Bartolotta said she believes Ewing would still be alive if the judge in her case had increased the bail for her estranged husband as requested by the prosecutor.

If you or someone you know needs help, there are resources available:

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

ncadv.org/learn-more/resources

Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

wcspittsburgh.org/

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

nrcdv.org/

List of Shelters

pafamilylawyers.com/Domestic-Violence/Domestic-Violence-Resources.shtml

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania

(800) 791-4000

peacefromdv.org