State lawmakers will discuss legislation tomorrow inspired by the disappearance and death of a Florida toddler.
Two year old Caylee Anthony was missing for a month before her mother informed the police. The mother, Casey Anthony, was later acquitted of the child’s 2008 murder, though she was convicted of providing police with false information.
State Representative Tom Hooker says his bill would require parents or guardians to report missing children to law enforcement agencies after 24 hours. If they don’t, they could face up to four years in prison.
Hooker says his bill may help bring justice to children like Caylee Anthony.
“We don’t want to have a child die and not be able to find the cause of that death,” says Hooker.
A similar bill was introduced last year, but Hooker says it got “put on the back burner.”
He's optimistic it will pass this year.
Similar legislation has become law in other states. But some civil libertarians fear such “Caylee’s Laws” may infringe on the individual right against self –incrimination or may harm innocent parents.
