High Desert Lawmaker Proposes “Caylee’s Law”

On the heels of Casey Anthony’s acquittal, Beaumont Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-65th District) wants a new law called “Caylee’s Law,” named after Casey’s daughter.

“If you have a child that’s missing and under 12 [years old],” he said, “you have to report that within 48 hours.”

Additionally, if a child dies, it must be reported to police within two to four hours.

Similar versions of “Caylee’s Law” may soon become law in Florida, New York, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

But, Mika Moulton said it’s a waste of time.

“A parent that does not report their child missing within 24 hours really could care less whether they have a felony charge,” she said. “They’re not reporting their child missing because something’s going on there that they don’t want anybody to know about,” said Moultan.

Casey Anthony didn’t report her daughter missing for a month.

When Moulton’s 10-year-old son Christopher disappeared in 1995, she called police within an hour.

“This rumor that there’s 24 hours you have to wait, they’re no such thing. You report them missing immediately,” said Moulton, who now is executive director of Christopher’s Clubhouse.

Moulton said there should be a new law that punishes criminals and benefits school districts. For example, if a suspect is found guilty and convicted of a crime against children, then local authorities can take the suspect’s belongings and sell them.

The money would be given to school districts to establish safety programs for students.

Moulton described “Caylee’s Law” as a knee-jerk reaction.

“It got my attention,” said the assemblyman. “It didn’t hurt my knees too much, but it hurt my sense of fair play in the fact that something was wrong and had to be corrected.”

Cook said the proposal is on the table. He might consider putting an “urgent” stamp on it, but the California Assembly and the Senate are not in session for a month.