BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Kentucky true crime author is channeling his research into advocacy, calling for stricter child abuse laws following the August murder of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer in Breathitt County.

Joe Clark, who has spent five years researching child abuse cases, launched a petition on Change.org seeking legislative reform he calls "Jayden's Law."

The proposed legislation would permanently ban anyone convicted of child-related crimes from having custody of children and impose harsher sentences for those convicted of such crimes.

"There was just something about Jayden Spicer's case that when it happened, it kind of lit a fire under me," Clark said.

Clark said his research revealed a troubling pattern in child abuse cases.

"The person that should be responsible

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