By Kim Cotton

Staff writer

PORT ST. LUCIE - A woman's fight against emotional abuse has taken the next step.

Jodi Walsh, whose ex-boyfriend tried to talk their son into killing Ms. Walsh, has gained the support of state Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Port St. Lucie, as well as others in the legal community, to help change the laws regarding emotional child abuse.

Ms. Walsh and Rep. Harrell, along with state attorney Bruce Colton and others in the community, will begin to draft new legislation to address the issue. It is currently not covered under Florida child abuse statutes.

"The Legislature must define what emotional abuse is so another individual does not get away from punishment," Rep. Harrell said. "When dealing with emotional abuse, you don't see the scars. We want to make sure we address emotional abuse, so those who inflict it don't get away scot-free."

The issue came to light after Edward Munao, Ms. Walsh's ex-boyfriend, tried to convince their son, who was 6 years old at the time, to kill Ms. Walsh with a kitchen knife in November 2003.

Her son, who is now 10, still sees a therapist for the emotional trauma he suffered.

Mr. Munao was convicted of child abuse and solicitation to commit aggravated battery, and sentenced to five years in prison for each charge.

According to the Florida Department of Corrections Web site, he is scheduled to be released from prison in 2014.

Mr. Munao, who is currently incarcerated at the South Bay Correctional Facility in Palm Beach County, appealed his convictions, and the Fourth District of Appeals reversed the child abuse conviction on Sept. 1. The court stated in its opinion that while Mr. Munao's statements are "deeply troublesome and offensive," his verbal statements cannot support a conviction.

Mr. Colton said his office has asked for a rehearing, since the First District Court of Appeals ruled differently in a similar case. If the rehearing is denied, then Mr. Colton said this case will be taken to the Florida Supreme Court.

"Thus arose the need to change legislation," Mr. Colton said. "We need to rework the statutes so it is clear what constitutes as emotional abuse."

After Ms. Walsh's case, she formed a nonprofit group, A Child's Cry for Help, to assist other children who have been the victims of emotional abuse.

"Emotional abuse is very hard to prove," she said. "This is a rising issue in the United States and internationally."

The group will hold a series of meetings to get public and expert input, while they are drafting the legislation, which will then be brought to Tallahassee by Rep. Harrell.

Ms. Walsh hopes her experiences will help save other children and parents her grief.

"I think if we work together, we can help the children of Florida," Ms. Walsh said.

For more information about A Child's Cry for Help, visit www.childscryforhelp.org.