Assemblymember Mitchell Introduces “Caylee’s Law”

Under AB 1432 Failure to Promptly Report a Missing or Deceased Child will be a Felony

(Sacramento) – At a capitol news conference this afternoon Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City) announced she has introduced Assembly Bill 1432, dubbed “Caylee’s Law”, which would make it a felony in California to fail to report the death or disappearance of a child, aged 14 or younger, to law authorities within 24 hours. Calls for such legislation have been inspired by the recent case of the death, ruled a homicide, of 2-year old Caylee Anthony, who was not reported missing for 31 days. Her mother, while having been acquitted of the charge of murder, has evoked outrage nationwide for failing to report her child’s disappearance.
“Law enforcement has known for years that the first 48 hours of a person’s disappearance are critical to the chances of finding that child alive and successfully prosecuting any related criminal behavior,” said Assemblymember Mitchell. “Recent developments make it clear that we don’t have the luxury of leaving the protection of children to others, or ignoring well-founded suspicions.”

Although it is late in the legislative session to introduce new laws, Mitchell, a member of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and long-time activist on behalf of children, believes she’s well positioned to lead the charge to bring “Caylee’s Law” into reality. She looks to garner bipartisan support and enlist child advocacy organizations in the effort to get the bill swiftly signed into law. Similar legislation is being considered in other states.

“Public awareness of the need for this bill is, tragically, very high now,” said Mitchell. “We are answering the call to get new tools in the hands of law enforcement so that a negligent or abusive parent need never be freed on a technicality again.” AB 1432 has been introduced as an emergency bill so it can progress through the legislative process and not be subject to the usual deadlines.

Assemblymember Mitchell Introduces “Caylee’s Law”

(Sacramento) –Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City) has introduced Assembly Bill 1432, dubbed “Caylee’s Law”, which would make it a felony in California to fail to report the death or disappearance of a child, aged 14 or younger, to law authorities within 24 hours. Calls for such legislation have been inspired by the recent case of the death, ruled a homicide, of 2-year old Caylee Anthony, who was not reported missing for 31 days. “Law enforcement has known for years that the first 48 hours of a person’s disappearance are critical to the chances of finding that child alive and successfully prosecuting any related criminal behavior,” said Assemblymember Mitchell. Here’s more in this Assembly Access video.

Below are links to audio of Assemblymember Mitchell:

Assemblymember Holly Mitchell’s opening remarks at today’s news conference regarding AB 1432. (2:06)

Assemblymember Mitchell says explains why AB 1432 is needed (:19)

Assemblymember Mitchell says she expects bipartisan support for her measure. (:09)

Assemblymember Mitchell says, regardless of other laws on the books to protect children, she believes it’s necessary to have a law on the books that makes failing to report a missing or deceased child a felony. (:15)

Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), a co-author of AB 1432, says the legislation could end up saving a child’s life. (:10)

For more information on the latest news from the Assembly Democratic Caucus click here or call Don Andrews at the Speaker’s Office of Member Services at (916) 319-3800