California Senate approves lifetime prison sentences for some child molesters

Calif Senate OKs life sentences for some molesters

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — State senators unanimously approved a law allowing some convicted child molesters to be locked up for life, in response to the slayings of two teenagers in San Diego County.

The bill that passed the Senate on a 36-0 vote Tuesday would reserve life-without-parole for adult predators who kidnap, drug, bind, torture or use a weapon while committing a sex crime against a child.

The life terms could be handed to first-time as well as repeat offenders.

The bill was named after 17-year-old Chelsea King, who was murdered in a San Diego County park this year. A convicted child molester has pleaded guilty to raping and killing King and 14-year-old Amber Dubois.

The bill, AB1844, returns to the Assembly to consider Senate amendments.