Official Calls For Tougher Laws Enforcing Protection From Abuse Orders

CANONSBURG (KDKA) -- Dalia Sabae claimed in court records that her husband Michael Cwiklinski often beat her, threatened her and forced her to have sex.

That's why she got a Protection From Abuse order that barred him from their home, and prohibited him from possessing weapons. But he still had a gun and he killed her, along with Canonsburg Police Officer Scott Bashioum.

"There isn't anything in the PFA law that orders that police or sheriffs specifically go in and get these guns and that's something that we need to be aware of," Kristin Clingerman said.

Clingerman heads the domestic abuse section of the Washington County District Attorney's office. Sadly, she's seen other victims who end up dead, despite a PFA.

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"It's gut wrenching. You meet the person. They come here for help. You do what you can. It still ends up in such a tragic ending. It's very difficult to take," Clingerman said.

Even so, Clingerman urges abused women to get a PFA, because it's a tool police can use to quickly lock up an abusive partner.

"It gives the police the ability to make an arrest immediately, with probable cause, immediately. Without having to do a long investigation," Clingerman said.

In the meantime, she wants the law changed, so abusers don't have guns.

"There needs to be a more strenuous law with regards to getting these guns once the PFAs been placed against the defendant," Clingerman said.