Gov. Strickland signs dating-violence prevention bill

COLUMBUS (AP) — A mother says she hopes a new Ohio law will protect other teens from the fate met by her daughter, killed by an ex-boyfriend who had hurt the girl before.

Cheryl Rucker was on hand at the Statehouse on Wednesday as Gov. Ted Strickland signed legislation allowing juvenile courts to issue orders of protection for minors in dating relationships.

The new law has been nicknamed Shynerra’s law, after Rucker’s teenage daughter, Shynerra Grant of Toledo. Police say she was shot to death in 2005 by an abusive former boyfriend who killed himself later the same day.

Rucker says if her daughter had been able to obtain an adult-style protection order she’d be alive today.