Parents of fatally shaken baby hope Gov. Wolf's signature will bring justice for others

Chambersburg Public Opinion

Mark and Shelly Ryder, Amberson, talk about the episode that led to the death of their son, 10-month-old Heath Ryder in 2010. Rep. Rob Kauffman designed legislation that will provide stiffer penalties for people convicted of child endangerment or child neglect. The Kauffman bill was crafted on the circumstances in the Ryder baby's death and is considered to be Heath's legacy.

HARRISBURG - The father of a 10-month-old child shaken to death by another child while in the care of a babysitter almost seven years ago hopes Gov. Tom Wolf is quick in signing a newly passed bill to provide harsher penalties for people who put children in harm's way.

Franklin County District Attorney Matt Fogal informed Mark and Shelly Ryder, the parents of young Heath Ryder, Tuesday night that House Bill 217 had passed the state Senate and was on its way to Wolf's desk for his signature.

Mark Ryder said Wednesday that he is happy the bill overwhelmingly passed with bi-partisan support and hopes Wolf will sign the bill promptly.

"It won't bring back our son but we hope it will make a difference for someone else," he said.

Rep. Rob Kauffman is presenting legislation that will provide stiffer penalties for people convicted of child endangerment or child neglect. The Kauffman bill was crafted on the circumstances in Mark and Shelly Ryder's 9-month old child Heath (pictured) and is considered to be the kid's legacy.

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The bill sponsored by Rep Rob Kauffman, R-Chambersburg, will provide harsher penalties for people charged with endangering the welfare of a child if the child is under the age of 6 or the action of the person being charged created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, such as was the case in Heath Ryder's death.

On July 29, 2010, while in the care of babysitter Dottie Bowers, Heath was shaken and thrown into a crib by a 9-year-old girl whom Bowers was also babysitting. He was taken off life support and died four days later.

A coroner's inquest resulted in murder charges against the girl, plus manslaughter and child endangerment charges against Bowers.

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Because of her age, the girl's case was quickly moved to juvenile court and she was put on probation until she turns 18.

The manslaughter charge against Bowers was dismissed by Magisterial District Judge T.R. Williams. Bowers later pleaded no contest to the child endangerment charge and was sentenced to between six and 23 months in the local jail. She served about four months of that time before being released on probation.

Fogal called the Ryder case the most disturbing he ever handled. He stayed in touch with the Ryders over the years and worked with Kauffman to help craft the bill that will make it a felony to put children in life-threatening danger.

"I am very thankful to Rob for the compassion he has shown to the Ryders, and for his willingness to help them," Fogal said on Tuesday. "This is a case unlike any other that I have prosecuted, and certainly spotlighted the need for much more appropriate sentencing options in similar cases."

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He said the Ryders, of Path Valley, wanted to do all they could to positively help others who might face a similar situation.

"I am honored to play some small role in helping them fashion a lasting legacy for Heath," he said. "I will never forget them."

The new law will make such cases felonies, carrying much heavier penalties.

Mark Ryder said he hopes those penalties will help discourage potential cases such as the one that took their son's life, or at least provide harsher penalties if they do happen.

Vicky Taylor, 717-881-5373