A digital sign above a highway alerts drivers to an Amber Alert. (Photo from Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – U.S. House Rep. Rudy Yakym is seeking changes to the country’s Amber Alert notification system after a 17-year-old girl disappeared from her home state of Indiana and was later found dead.
The Republican has introduced legislation named after the case’s victim, Hailey Buzbee of Fishers, Indiana. This would allow police to issue Amber Alerts for all children under 18 who are considered “high-risk missing persons,” widely publicizing missing child cases.
According to a, only people who have been confirmed by law enforcement to have been kidnapped and are in immediate danger are currently being alerted Press release Announcement of Yakym’s bill.
An Amber Alert was never issued for Buzbee because her disappearance was classified as an escape rather than a kidnapping, the release continued.
“I spoke with Hailey’s parents this week,” Yakym said in a statement to States Newsroom. “They are some of the bravest, strongest people I have ever met. They put the most unimaginable pain a parent can feel into action so that no other family has to go through what they went through.”
Hailey’s case
Buzbee went missing from her home in early January and was declared dead nearly a month later after her remains were found in an Ohio forest.
Authorities say she was picked up and later killed by Tyler Thomas, a 39-year-old Columbus man she said she met online while playing video games.
“Her family knew she was in danger. Her community knew she was in danger,” Yakym said. “But because there was no confirmed abduction, an AMBER Alert was not issued – and because she did not have a qualifying disability, a Silver Alert did not apply.”
Thomas has since been charged with “sexual exploitation of a minor and interstate travel with the intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.” Press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
If convicted of these charges, he could face up to 30 years in prison, the statement said.
State laws
The case has drawn widespread attention and prompted state lawmakers in Indiana and Ohio to introduce bills aimed at making online forums safer for minors.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, a Republican, signed an April 1 law requiring parental consent, age verification policies and algorithm restrictions for children under 16 on certain social media platforms.
He then passed a law toughening penalties for child exploiters.
In Ohiotwo state senators introducing a bill that would require parental consent and enhance protections for children on online gambling platforms. The measure would also create an improved version of the Amber Alert notification and lend a hand educate juvenile people about personal hygiene.
Hailey’s parents, Beau and Ronya Buzbee, were instrumental in both states’ legislative efforts. They are now working with Yakym to pass the HAILEY Law.
“Real change for families like ours – who simply want to ensure the safety of our children – is now one step closer,” the Buzbee family said in the Yakym press release. “We strongly encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to pass this common-sense legislation that could protect the next child before it’s too late.”
“The system that was supposed to protect children didn’t have a box to put them in,” Yakym said. “It cost her her life.”
