Jonathan Lytle is sentenced to 75 years in prison – the longest homicide-by-abuse sentence in Washington state history – for his role in killing his 4-year-old daughter, Summer Phelps, in March 2007. Adriana Lytle, who was Summer’s stepmother, was sentenced to 62 1/2 years. This is a classic case of the abused becoming the abuser, and it highlights why it is vital for society to intercede on behalf of children, rather than take the none-of-our-business approach.

In the six months before her death, Summer’s daily existence was no better than that of a prisoner undergoing torture. She was beaten, bitten and burned. She was shocked with a dog collar and dunked in cold water. Her body was covered with bruises. Her treatment was unimaginable, but there are many children at this very moment who are suffering from abuse.

When she was a child, Adriana Lytle was one of them.

Her attorneys told the court that her mother was addicted to methamphetamine, even injecting the drug when pregnant. Her mother’s boyfriends sexually abused her. When Child Protective Services placed Adriana in foster care, older boys abused her. At age 12, she was sent to live with her father, who also abused her. Because of this “history of hell,” Adriana became mentally ill. She met Jonathan Lytle in a homeless shelter and had a son with him.

Clinical psychologists told the court that the only way Adriana knew to discipline a child was with force. She also thought the treatment of Summer wasn’t out of the ordinary, because that’s how she was treated as a child.

The decisions about what to do with Jonathan and Adriana Lytle rightly are made by judges and juries, but society can decide to do something about the future Adrianas and Summers. Failing to act will only mean more abuse and most of it won’t make headlines. Punishing the perpetrators isn’t enough.

Children’s issues need to stay in the forefront. Yes, the condition of the economy is important, but the momentum gained through this community’s “Our kids: Our business” campaign cannot be squandered. Being outraged about what happened to Summer is healthy. Being numb is part of the problem. But anger must be turned into action.

According to two polls commissioned by Spokane media outlets last spring, it would appear that the community is well aware of the problem and wants to pursue solutions. Those surveyed also said they would agree to more government spending, as long as the purposes were clearly explained.

The good news is that incidents of reported child abuse are down in Washington state over the past 10 years. Suspected cases are also trending downward. But instances of abuse against defenseless children still occur with distressing regularity.

In the memory of Summer Phelps, we must stay vigilant.