It’s estimated that each year 1400 infants are injured or die from being shaken.

House Bill 1855, to be known as Karra and Jocelyn’s Law adds a higher penalty to those convicted of endangering the welfare of a child by shaking.

Sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-Sedalia), the bill ups the penalty from a maximum of seven years in prison, to a minimum of 15 years.

“I’ve got to tell you, it’s unpleasant, it’s uncomfortable but it’s a problem and it’s something that needs to be talked about,” Cox said.

In Tuesday’s hearing, Representatives heard from the family of the two girls the law is being named for.

“We lost a great grandaughter, a grandaughter, a daughter, a sister, a cousin and a niece, I’m the middle of the night after Karra was shaken so violently that both of her retinas detached,

I crept up to the hospital I whispered 2 promises, the first was that her sister’s would be protected and be safe, the second is that I would make sure this never happens again,” said Maryanne Williamson, grandmother of Karra. “I kept the first by adopting her sister, I’m keeping the second with this bill.”

Rep. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) believes that a flat 15-year minimal if unfair in a time where there are so many uneducated young mothers.

“She should go to prison and do 15 years because no one taught her to be a parent? Because her mother was a junkie and her dad was nowhere to be found?” Nasheed said.

Though those who support the bill don’t believe 15 years is enough for “ruining a human life,” they do believe it’s a place to start.

“Please, we need to stop the shaking, but my granddaughter’s life was worth more than four years,” said Marilyn Nivert, grandmother of Jocelyn.

The committee took no action on the bill after Tuesday’s hearing.