A NEWLY ELECTED STATE REPRESENTATIVE WANTS TO TOUGHEN UP NEW MEXICO'S CHILD ABUSE LAWS. CONRAD JAMES OF ALBUQUERQUE IS PROPOSING THAT ANYONE BEATING A CHILD TO DEATH WOULD FACE A LIFE PRISON SENTENCE, NO MATTER THE CHILD'S AGE. CURRENT LAW APPLIES ONLY WHEN THE CHILD IS UNDER THE AGE OF 12. THE BILL WOULD ALSO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR ANY CHILD ABUSER.
