Major loophole in PFA orders leave victims vulnerable

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — In 2016, two women in Washington County were shot and killed by their husbands. Both had protection from abuse orders against the men who killed them.

11 Investigates spent months looking into a system experts said continues to work in thousands of cases, but still has some major loopholes that need to be closed.

In most cases when someone is served a protection from abuse order (PFA), they are supposed to turn over all of their weapons. But the way the law is written, it's up to the person served to turn their weapons over. That's where experts said the state is failing to keep people safe.

"Never does it enter your mind that you're going to bury your child," said Annelle Kopko, Tierne Ewing's mother. Police said Ewing was kidnapped, then shot and killed by her husband in a Washington County barn.

• RELATED: Man accused of removing monitoring bracelet, killing estranged wife 

Tierne Ewing had multiple protection of abuse orders against her husband, Kevin Ewing.

"The PFAs -- I don't care how many you have. They are worthless," said Kopko.

Dalia Sabae also had PFAs against her husband. Investigators said he still shot and killed her, their unborn baby, a Canonsburg police officer, and himself, using a gun his PFA stated he wasn't supposed to have.

"It's time that I think our legislators, maybe, make a little bit of a change," said Washington County Sheriff Sam Romano.

• RELATED: Woman filed 2 protection orders against husband accused of killing her, officer 

Romano said too many people, including law enforcement officers, are dying because of PFAs. He said when a judge issues one and rules someone can't have weapons, deputies can't legally go into their home to search for them. It's up to the person to do the right thing. The person has to sign an affidavit, saying he or she doesn't have any weapons, but it's all based on the honor system.

A room at the Washington County Sheriff's Office holds about 200 guns, knives, and bows and arrows. All were taken from PFA defendants who surrendered them. That's compared to the 500 PFAs served in Washington County in 2016.

A report issued by the Joint State Commission highlighted "weapons forfeitures" as a huge concern in Pennsylvania's PFA process. The report cited laws in New Jersey and Delaware that allow law enforcement to search and seize weapons in PFA cases.

• WEB EXTRA: Read the study in its entirety
• RAW: Domestic violence advocate speaks about PFAs
• RAW: Tierne Ewing's parents talk about her murder

"We don't base the law on trust. The law is based on not trusting people. The law should be based on the worst case scenario," said Brian Gorman, who works to help people file PFAs.

Gorman said he believes police, lawyers, victims, and advocates need to work together to identify all the system's challenges.

If you or someone you know needs help, there are resources available:

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

List of Shelters

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania

(800) 791-4000

Cox Media Group