We’re sure Terrell Peterson is in heaven because his life on this earth was hell.

Peterson was 5 when he died in January 1998, the victim of abuse by those who were supposed to love and care for him. His grandmother was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday in Terrell’s death.

Legislators passed new laws aimed at preventing another death like Terrell’s after it was discovered that his neglect and abuse had been reported eight times to the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services over several years. Nothing had been done.

In his grandmother’s apartment, police found a note that said his hands were to be “always tied” and a belt and phone cord used to lash him. His 29-pound body had so many lacerations and bruises, doctors could not determine an exact cause of death.

His legacy includes legislation named for him that allows doctors to take temporary protective custody of children they believe are being neglected or abused, even before police or social workers get involved.

We applaud lawmakers for their quick action, but we hope they will find more money for DFACS and other agencies entrusted with dealing with such cases.

A huge turnover of caseworkers because of low pay and morale compounds the problems the agency faces throughout Georgia.

Most of us naturally turn away in horror at these cases, but our society and government must take the necessary steps to protect these children, even if it means removing them from their families.