Editorial: A child’s tragic death

News about the death of a child is always unsettling — but when foul play is officially suspected, it becomes nearly unbearable.

Sadly, news came this week that the Feb. 24 death of Abigail Lobisch, a 7-month-old girl who would have turned 1 last Tuesday, has been reclassified to manslaughter, meaning someone is suspected of causing her death, reportedly at a home day care at Aliamanu Military Reservation.

The case is still being investigated — and yes, there are many serious questions to be answered. These include what specifically caused Abigail’s death, of course — but also, how well her well-being had been guarded until she died.

Talia’s Law — the prominent federal law with Hawaii roots that passed in 2016 after Talia Williams, 5, was killed by her abusive father at Schofield Barracks — requires suspected child abuse on U.S. military bases to be reported to state child welfare and military Family Advocacy officials.

According to a family friend, Abigail came to Family Advocacy’s attention only after her death, despite earlier complaints that the day-care provider was unlicensed and had neglected children in her care.

Honolulu police have the lead in this case. But after Abigail’s death, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii launched and completed an investigation into policies, procedures and practices on how home-based day cares are run on its bases; findings must be released to Hawaii’s public, which includes a sizeable military population.

Also in need of disclosure: Why wasn’t Talia’s Law employed if, or once, danger signs had emerged? Laws work only if people abide by them, and they work for defenseless kids only if the adults care enough.