Angry over not being informed of abuse to her son, Clara City mother launches online campaign

CLARA CITY -- When a Clara City mother learned four years after the fact what authorities in Lyon County knew all that time- that her son had been sexually abused- she turned her anger into action.

Sarah Guggisberg of Clara City launched a Facebook campaign that within two weeks netted over 17,000 visits, an email from television's Dr. Phil, and a visit by WCCO TV.

Guggisberg has now launched an on-line petition in hopes of collecting 25,000 signatures. If successful, the petition asking for stronger parental notification laws in cases of abuse will be presented to President Barack Obama.

State Representative Bruce Vogel, R-Willmar, is a family friend and a former youth pastor to Guggisberg's children. He is looking at whether changes are warranted in Minnesota's laws, or if Guggisberg's case is a situation where something slipped through.

Guggisberg said she is campaigning for what she calls "Jacob's Law.'' She wants a victim-focused law that makes the responsibility of informing care givers about potential abuse very clear.

Guggisberg's Facebook group can be joined at: jacobslaw@groups.facebook.com