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'Oliver's Law' Proposed To Expose Bad Nannies

R S Shankar in San Diego

As a stern judge sentenced Manjit Basuta to 25 years in a prison last week, Audrey Amral heaved a sigh of relief -- and, perhaps, of satisfaction. Earlier, a few minutes before the sentencing in the San Diego court, she had addressed Judge William Kennedy, telling him how by shaking her 13-month-old son Oliver to death, the day care nurse Basuta had caused her unmitigable sorrow, and that she could never forgive the woman.

Amral is also bitter that Basuta and her attorney Eugene Iredale suggested to the press that Oliver died when a child had pushed him, reopening a hurt caused by her. Iredale wanted to submit to the jury an allegation by boy's father that the mother was in the habit of physically abusing the child but the judge, pointing to the withdrawal of the allegation which was made during divorce proceedings, denied Iredale's request.

Now, even as Basuta's family is getting ready to file for an appeal, Amral is getting ready to campaign for a law that demands a better investigation of nannies. She wants it to be called Oliver's Law.

She is convinced that if the authorities had checked the complaints against Basuta thoroughly, they might have suspended her license. Or in the least, they could have informed the prospective clients about the complaints. There have been at least seven prior complaints against Basuta, according to the investigators but they could not been confirmed.

Before Basuta was sentenced, several mothers testified in her behalf, saying that they had wonderful experiences with her caring nature and they would trust their children to her care. But the judge said there was a darker side to Basuta they did not know about.

Audrey Amaral's efforts have won the support of several California legislators including Charlene Zettal but since many legislators have not considered the idea of Oliver's Law a high priority it might take quite some time the bill comes up for voting.

The legislation would require day care referral agencies to inform parents that they can check a child care provider's files before enrolling their child. She says if she had known about the files, things may have been different. It turned out Basuta's day care had seven prior complaints on record.

"The provider history I had access to would have caused me to make a different child care choice for my son," Amaral said. "And it is my belief that Oliver may well have been alive, healthy and vital today to love, nurture, cherish and parent."

EARLIER FEATURE:
Basuta Sentenced To 25 Years in Child Murder Case

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