HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — For more than a year, Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Advocate has sat vacant, prompting community members, survivors and child welfare advocates to rally at the state Capitol and demand changes they say are needed to better protect children.

The state’s former child advocate, Maryann McEvoy, resigned in January 2025.

READ MORE | Child advocate’s resignation highlights systemic issues in Pennsylvania

Advocates say the vacancy is part of a longer fight to create an independent Office of Child Advocate that would be written into law and given stronger authority, staffing and oversight powers.

“We believe you. We stand with you. And we’re not going to stop shining this light until every child in Pennsylvania is safe,” McEvoy said.

Supporters pointed to the 2024 death of 12-year-old Malinda Hoagland in Chester County, saying her case underscores systemic failures.

Hoagland died from physical abuse and starvation. Court documents indicate two ChildLine calls within five months were made on Hoagland’s behalf, but the county agency closed each investigation and never showed up to the house.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | 12-year-old girl dies after months of ‘evil’ abuse by father and his girlfriend: DA

“Her case wasn’t an insulated oversight. It was the result of decades of cracks in a system that should have shown, that has been showing the same patterns of failure again and again,” said Emily Lee Hoagland, Malinda’s sister. “My sisters and I carry this grief for the rest of our lives, but sharing Melinda’s story can help build a system where children are truly seen, truly heard, and truly protected.”

The group is pushing for an independent office with improved manpower, accessibility and oversight. Supporters say the office would not replace parents, caseworkers or judges, but would strengthen them.

Since 2001, bipartisan legislation has been introduced to create an independent Office of Child Advocate, but it has never passed both the House and Senate.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Advocates argue new legislation could prevent future abuse in PA, but will the bill pass?

Former Pennsylvania Child Advocate Maryann McEvoy said she resigned after bills in both the House and Senate failed to pass that would have allowed her to better oversee the child welfare system.

“I did not step down because I stopped being your child advocate,” McEvoy said. “I simply stepped down from a role that did not have the authority that you all deserved for it to have.”

McEvoy also urged state leaders to act quickly, calling for an executive order to create a new office with expanded authority.

“Our government officials have the power to make something happen, to create a change, an executive order creating a new office of child advocate with the authority to access DHS records external of DHS that can be written and that can be signed on April 1st, seven days from today,” she said.

Under the current system, the governor can appoint a child advocate. CBS 21 asked Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office why a new advocate has not been appointed and for the governor’s response to the push for change. A spokesperson said the office, as currently constructed, “doesn’t have enough teeth,” and that money has been allocated to other priorities to help children across the commonwealth. The spokesperson said the governor will continue working with lawmakers to codify the office and give it more power.