In Surprise, Arizona, Hope Hooton is transforming personal tragedy into advocacy by championing child safety legislation. Two years ago, Hooton’s estranged husband, Brock Mater, took the lives of their young children, Alec and Lydia, before ending his own life. Now, Hooton is speaking out following a similar incident in Phoenix, where a mother killed her children and herself.

Advocacy for Change

Hooton, who describes her children as joyful and loving, is now dedicated to ensuring their legacy leads to change. She recalls her son Alec’s love for sports and her daughter Lydia’s fondness for unicorns and sparkles. Despite a history of domestic violence, Hooton and Mater were granted 50/50 custody, a decision she believes overlooked significant risk factors.

Hooton has since become a child safety advocate, contributing to the Alec and Lydia Act, a bill aimed at prioritizing child safety over equal parenting time in custody disputes. The proposed legislation, currently moving through the Arizona Legislature, would make a parent’s history of domestic violence the primary factor in custody decisions.

Raising Awareness

Hooton emphasizes the importance of recognizing the potential for violence within families. She notes that, tragically, filicide occurs multiple times daily in the United States. Her hope is that the Alec and Lydia Act will prevent future tragedies by ensuring children are protected from parental conflicts.

As the Arizona Senate prepares to vote on the bill in June, Hooton remains committed to her mission. She believes that legislative change can save countless children’s lives and prevent them from becoming innocent victims of adult disputes.

Original reporting: 12News / KPNX (Phoenix) — read the source article.