From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stephanie Carter was a four year old girl in Anderson, South Carolina who was a tragic victim of child abuse. She was beaten to death by her father, Derek Shane Carter, and stepmother, Ila Michelle Carter, on October 17, 2000. ^[1] Before her death, she was subjected to years of unspeakable acts of torture that included repeated beatings and burns with cigarettes.^[2] Evidence admitted at trial by prosecutor Druanne White showed that Stephanie was forced to live in a bathroom, to play fetch, to eat something that smelled like cat food, and to be hosed off when she soiled herself.^[3] In fact, in an audiotape admitted at trial, Stephanie's stepmother referred to her as the "child that didn't exist."^[3]

Stephanie's Law

One of the more shocking facts of the case was that police were called to the house at one point when neighbors saw Stephanie harnessed to a tree.^[3] Stephanie's parents told the police that they had put her there to protect her while they burned leaves.^[3] The lack of follow-up on the part of the police and child protection services spawned Stephanie's Law.^[2] The Bill was authored by the prosecutor in the case, Druanne White, and others, and was enacted by the South Carolina Legislature in 2002.^[2] The Bill required an investigation by authorities upon the first report of abuse.^[2]

Sit for Stephanie

The closing argument by White in the criminal trial against Stephanie's parents spawned the idea for a fundraiser to combat child abuse.^[4]. During the trial, on the floor in front of the jury box, Solicitor Druanne White taped out a diagram of the tiny half-bath where Stephanie was locked away for 80 to 90 percent of the last year of her life.^[4] As part of her closing argument to the jury, Ms. White sat quietly on the floor inside the box for one minute. ^[4] This powerful demonstration resulting in a guilty verdict, and the idea for the sit-a-thon.

Bike Ride For Stephanie

Stephanie has also been memorialized by the Stephanie Carter Memorial bike ride.^[5]. This charity bike ride helps donors and participants raise money for children in need.

References

1. ^ "Bike Ride Remembers 1 Child's Death, Helps Another's Life". WYFF.com. 11 October 2007. http://www.wyff4.com/news/14321833/detail.html. Retrieved 28 July 2009.  
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "House Bill 4920" (Microsoft Word document). South Carolina House of Representatives. 19 March 2002. http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess114_2001-2002/bills/4920.doc. Retrieved 28 July 2009.  
3. ^ ^{a b c d} "Stephanie's Story". http://www.lesliemazzarafund.com/about10.html. Retrieved 28 July 2009.  
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Sit for Stephanie". http://www.lesliemazzarafund.com/about5.html. Retrieved 28 July 2009.  
5. ^ Doug Staley (14 October 2007). "Bikers raise money for Starr Iva Middle School student". Independent Mail. http://www.independentmail.com/news/2007/oct/14/bikers-raise-money-starr-iva-middle-school-student/. Retrieved 28 July 2009.