Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Abbie Rumbach: The Confession That Blew My Daughter's Mind
PHOTO: Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillipe Reunite
'Caylee's Law' Would Make It a Crime Not to Report Missing Children
Filed under: In The News
Caylee Anthony. Credit: AP
Anthony was acquitted July 5 of the murder of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee. She insisted the child drowned accidentally in the family swimming pool. Nonetheless, the child had been missing for a month before her disappearance was reported and authorities began their investigation.
"Unfortunately, it often takes a tragedy before we find a flaw in the current law," state Sen. Nicholas Sacco, the bill's primary sponsor, tells New Jersey's The Record newspaper. "If in Florida, there had been a conviction of Casey Anthony, we would not have had this press conference, and the missing component of the law would still be missing."
The bill require parents or guardians to report missing children within 24 hours or face up to 18 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. It would also impose felony charges for failing to report a death "in a timely manner" or disturbing evidence of a death (currently a misdemeanor).
However, some people say that's a knee-jerk emotional reaction.
Mark Denbeaux, a defense attorney and Seton Hall Law School professor, tells The Record parents who murder their children are not likely to be deterred because they face additional penalties for failing to report their crime.
"It's just anger," Denbeaux says. "It's not examined. It's not thoughtful. It's just sort of a petty anger that's not thoughtful and solves no real problem."
Hudson County, N.J., Prosecutor Edward DeFazio disagrees.
"It's a practical piece of legislation," DeFazio tells the newspaper. "It puts the responsibility where it belongs, with the parents and guardians of young children."
At least 16 states have introduced similar legislation, all calling it "Caylee's Law."
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS AS TO THE ANSWER BY DEFENDANTS ______________________________. Plaintiff, ________________________ h...
- Is permission required from both parents in every state . to become a foster parent? are there name's changed; would i need a court order
- (department of defense)? hey can you build me a super duper all protector? yea what you want on it $$$$$
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Newsy Now: July 7 (GMT 1500)
Casey Anthony Sentenced; Obama to Cut Social Security; Obama Stops Texas Execution; Hugh Grant on UK Tabloid Phone Hacking; Caylee's Law Goes Viral
-
Peace Walk for Caylee Anthony
A 'Peace Walk For Caylee' draws large crowd of marchers that walked from the site where Caylee's remains where found on Suburban Drive in Orlando to the Anthony home, just around the corner on Hopespring Drive. The walk was quiet and peaceful, and people carried signs and photos of Caylee. After the walk, people gathered at the memorial site, which had a large wooden cross placed there a few days earlier. The walk was held on Sunday, July 17, the same day Casey Anthony was released.
-
Defence: Caylee Anthony Not Murdered But Drowned
Casey Anthony's defense attorney dropped bombshells during the opening statement in trial and unveiled Anthony's "dysfunctional" family's secrets.
-
Reaction: Casey Anthony Not Guilty of Murder
A jury found Casey Anthony not guilty for the death of her daughter Caylee. Anthony was convicted of several counts of lying to police.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
7-12-2011 @ 7:41PM
Momma said...OBVIOUSLY we need this law. IF we had it Caysee would have more time behind bars like she should! DUHHHHH!!!! But it is sad that something like this has to happen before we make it a law.
Reply
7-12-2011 @ 11:38PM
Big Sister said..."It's just anger," Denbeaux says. "It's not examined. It's not thoughtful. It's just sort of a petty anger that's not thoughtful and solves no real problem."
nuff said...
Reply
7-14-2011 @ 1:22AM
vicki said...anger yes if you cant or wont take care of your baby as in part of you and dont know they are dead or missing for hours then you deserve ...i will leave that statement open ended
7-14-2011 @ 1:13AM
vicki said...well i would assume you may notice your baby missing somewhere maybe 10 minutes not 30 days.YES this law should be in effect case in point shenadoah,va 4wk old baby's death wont get into marks blood etc on baby but straid mom or anyone in household did not notice she was dead for over 8 hrs. Just a wierd thought mom thinks she rolled over on her in the night,silly me when you woke i'd think first prioroty would be baby love ,change diaper, feed ,love naa wait 8+ hrs then look heck they only need food 8-12 she is with her daddy now who passed 3.5 weeks prior someone needs to help the helpless pass the dang law or try to sleep thinking about these helpless babies..as an adult if you were missing dead etc would you not expect the same
Reply
7-16-2011 @ 9:51AM
alissa said...The only reason Casey didn't report Caylee's disappearance is because she murdered her and had to figure out how to come up with different stories as to what happened. So far it worked....but everyone has their day.
Reply