Based on that statement, the committee concluded "the baby needed to be removed while services for the mother were put in place and until the baby could be returned safely to the home."

But that didn't happen.

Robinson smothered her son with a plastic bag, a pile of blankets and her hand on May 11, 2001, about three weeks after DCFS first made contact with her. She pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder and was sentenced to five years to life in prison.

Child welfare workers, according to the committee, failed to adequately assess the risk to the infant and were too focused on the mother. They even bought formula, baby food and other items to prevent Nathan from being removed.

"In this case, the desire on the part of the division to keep children in their homes overrode the need to ensure that children are protected and that they are in a safe environment. In this case, emphasis on family preservation contributed to the death of a child," the report said.

Anderson acknowledges those things happen, and workers are heartbroken when they do. But "the point we sometimes don't make is how many hundreds of children are alive today because we did intervene."

Still, stories like Nathan Scheer's already worry Kristin Brewer, who heads the 3rd District guardian ad litem's office. If Harper's bill makes it more difficult to remove a child from an abusive home, she said, she sees more dire outcomes.

"I think fatality," she said.

Utah Eagle Forum's Gayle Ruzicka said any suggestion that children will die as a result of the bill is irresponsible and an insult to Harper.

"That is so outrageous. That is just wrong. I cannot believe they would say that," she said. "Wayne Harper is a good man. He would never sponsor legislation that would harm a child."

Ruzicka said good parents are losing their children to the state for dirty houses or not taking them to the doctor enough. The bill will protect parents from a child welfare agency that is "out of control. This would never have happened if DCFS didn't get out of control."

Brewer said intervention after the first non-serious incident of abuse or neglect strengthens parents. They end up being able to keep their families intact and not have a serious injury or fatality or an incarcerated parent, she said.

Harper said parents statewide have contacted him about a heavy-handed approach on the part of child-welfare workers who, they say, barge into people's homes.

"And then it comes back, and it's found out there's no merit to the (allegation) and the family has been violated, if you will."