Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Grisanti to co-sponsor legislation for Caylee's Law

by jmaloni
Wed, Jul 13th 2011 09:05 am

Proposed bill supports efforts to make it a crime to fail to report a missing child

State Sen. Mark Grisanti announced this week that he is co-sponsoring legislation to create Caylee's Law. The bill would make it a felony for a parent or legal guardian to fail to timely report a missing child, in cases where the parent knew or should have known that the child was possibly in danger.

In light of the not guilty verdict handed down by jurors earlier this month in the Casey Anthony trial in Florida, Grisanti began researching potential legislation that eventually led to the creation of this proposed bill.

"What we witnessed in the case of the death of Caylee Anthony was tragic," Grisanti said. "By placing a law on the books requiring parents and guardians to report missing children who are in significant danger in a timely manner, we will ensure for the future that parents are going to be held accountable for their actions. It will also assure that we put justice on the side of those among us who are most vulnerable, particularly young children."

Anyone who lies to police or misleads them about a child they know to be in danger also would be guilty of a felony.

Anthony was acquitted of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, but found guilty of lying to investigators.

Grisanti said he has received several phone calls and email messages from constituents in New York's 60th Senate District who were concerned about the outcome of the Casey Anthony trial.

"I think whether you agree or disagree with the decision of that jury, the end result should lead to tightening of our state laws to protect our children," Grisanti said. "This is a common-sense solution that is proactive and helps avoid any inconsistencies or inadequacies in the law that could potentially lead to future issues such as what we saw in the Casey Anthony trial."

Hometown News

View All News