In the aftermath of a tragedy, something to celebrate
Jefferson County residents Steve and Shelley Blecha, who have campaigned for better child care oversight and safety, had something to celebrate this week.
Riley Jade Blecha, 7 pounds, 4 ounces, was born Thursday morning just before noon. (Those are her cute feet there in the picture.) She joins older brother Clayton James.
Last year their second son, Nathan died at an unlicensed in-home day care in Arnold. After his death, the Blechas were shocked to learn that the maximum fine that could be lodged against the caregiver for operating an illegal day care was $200 and that no other charges would be filed against her because the death was accidental.
Their story caught the interest of state Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis, who has pledged to introduce legislation next year to strengthen child care safety standards and increase penalties against illegal or unsafe operators.
Nancy Cambria is the Children and Families reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She writes on a wide variety of topics pertaining to the well-being of children and family issues. She posts on children and family policy in The Grade blog and on general family and parenting issues in the Parents Talk Back blog located in the lifestyle section. 
While this is a nice, feel good story. I believe this is not an education topic and perhaps belongs on a different blog. Please don’t destroy what could be a good blog with non-education filler.