Lawmakers advance protections for teens after Hailey Buzbee's death
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Lawmakers are working to expand Indiana's alert system in response to the death of Fishers teen Hailey Buzbee.
Why it matters: In Hailey's case, when she was missing, the alerts that we're familiar with didn't apply.
- An Amber Alert wasn't issued because there was no confirmed physical abduction.
- Because Hailey did not have a qualifying disability, a Silver Alert did not apply.
Catch up quick: Police say they believe Hailey was picked up by 39-year-old Tyler Thomas, whom she met online, in early January.
- Thomas was detained at his Ohio home Jan. 21 and has, so far, been charged with tampering with evidence and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, but police say more charges are expected.
- Investigators say they believe Hailey died within a few days of her disappearance. Her body was found in Ohio on Feb. 1.
Zoom in: Advocates want to expand the alert system for young people like Hailey, who may not have been physically abducted but were lured away by a predator and are suspected to be in danger.
- An amendment added to House Bill 1303 on Tuesday would expand the definition of a missing child to include a "high-risk missing person," which lawmakers say would allow law enforcement to act more quickly.
- Language putting restrictions on social media for minors is also being reconsidered after it was stripped out of Senate Bill 199 earlier in the legislative session.
Between the lines: While it's too late in the legislative session for a new bill to be introduced, new language can be added to existing legislation with related content.
What they're saying: "We're acting urgently to close loopholes in Indiana's alert system to give law enforcement the tools they need and to better protect kids online," said House Speaker Todd Huston, a Republican from Fishers, Hailey's hometown.