(RALEIGH) -- December 1, 2011 marks the first day that a new law aimed at protecting not only a pregnant woman but also the woman's unborn child.  Ethan's Law allows for murder and assault charges to be filed against a suspect for a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

Rep. Dale Folwell of Forsyth County said the wait for justice is finally over.  "We were all hoping and praying that there are no more pregnant women murdered in North Carolina, but if that tragically were to happen, we would want this law to be in effect," said Folwell.

Folwell said this bill, in some form, had been mired in committee for more than 25 years.  It will give D.A.'s the authority to charge an attacker with not just one murder or assault, but two when a pregnant woman is involved.

The law is named for the unborn grandson of Kevin Blaine whose pregnant daughter, Jenna Neilsen, was killed in 2007 while delivering newspapers in Raleigh.   Blaine said the time has come for this law.

"Those pregnant women out there will be protected for the first time in North Carolina and the people who do these heinous crimes to these ladies will finally be prosecuted," said Blaine.

No one has been arrested for the deaths of Blaine's Daughter and grandson.