MADISON — A bill that would make it illegal for parents and other guardians to fail to report the death or disappearance of a child, sponsored by Representative Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall) and State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point), passed the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections unanimously today.
The bill is named for Caylee Anthony, whose mother, Casey Anthony, was found not guilty in Caylee’s death, despite the fact that she failed to report the child’s disappearance for over a month. The legislation would make it a Class I felony for a parent, stepparent, guardian or legal custodian to fail to report the suspicious or accidental death of a child. The bill would also provide a series of misdemeanor and felony penalties for failing to report the disappearance of a child within 48 hours, depending on whether bodily harm or death results.
Although current Wisconsin law does require reporting certain deaths, failure to do so is not a felony. Nor is there currently a penalty to fail to report a disappearance within a particular timeframe.
This bill also makes it a felony for an unauthorized person to move the corpse of a child, or to hide or bury a corpse with the intent to collect state benefits such as medical assistance and food stamps.
“This important bill is the result of an extensive bipartisan collaborative effort. It reinforces in statute the importance of promptly reporting a child missing,” said Rep. Kerkman. “I’m pleased that the bill passed unanimously today in committee and look forward to discussing it on the floor of the Assembly.”
“The Caylee Anthony case demonstrates that prosecutors need better means to pursue justice for children when their deaths are concealed by the adults who are supposed to protect them,” Sen. Lassa said. “This bill will send a clear signal that all parents and guardians have a responsibility to report the death or disappearance of a child promptly, and if they don’t they may find themselves in the criminal justice system.”
Caylee’s Law now goes to the full Assembly for approval.
