Politics & Government

'Caylee's Law' Would Require Parents to Report Missing Children Within 18 Hours

In reaction to the outcome of the Casey Anthony trial, new legislation introduced requiring parents to report missing children quickly.

 

"Caylee Anthony's Law," legislation introduced by State House Rep. B.J. Pak of Lilburn this week, would require parents to report a missing child within 18 hours.

“Many, including myself, were outraged by the outcome of Casey Anthony’s trial,” said Rep. Pak. in an emailed release. “We felt that justice was never served for the death of Caylee."

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HB 974 has two measures: Parents or guardians of children under the age of 13 would be required to stay in contact or to verify the child's safety. If 18 hours pass without contact of verification, parents must report the child as missing to law enforcement. "Willful, knowing or criminal negligent" failure to report would carry a penalty of one to 10 years in prison, according to the release.

The law would also require parents or guardians to report the death of a child younger than 16 within 12 hours of death, and intentional failure to report could be punished with one to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of as much as $5,000. The minimum fine would be $1,000.

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Casey Anthony last year was acquitted of charges that she murdered her daughter, Caylee, in 2008. Casey Anthony's mother reported Caylee missing after the child had not been seen for a month. Casey Anthony's claim that a nanny abducted Caylee led to a five-month search for the child, which ended when her remains were found in December. 

"We have reviewed Georgia’s laws and determined that HB 974 is needed to avoid such incidents of injustice," Pak said. "HB 974 is narrowly tailored to provide adequate deterrence to direct caregivers from acts of criminal neglect.”

Similar legislation has been introduced in at least 14 states, including Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, the release said, and 12 more states are planning to introduce such legislation.

For more information on HB 974, please click here.

To watch a recording of the recent press conference, please click here.

"We have reviewed Georgia’s laws and determined that HB 974 is needed to avoid such incidents of injustice. HB 974 is narrowly tailored to provide adequate deterrence to direct caregivers from acts of criminal neglect.”


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