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New Jersey toughens missing child law

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
   It is now a felony crime in New Jersey if one fails to report a child missing within 24 hours.
   Known as Caylee’s Law, it applies to the disappearance of children under the age of 14.
   If a parent or guardian is found guilty of failing to report a child missing, the offense now is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and a maximum $10,000 fine — or both.
   Previously, the punishment for failing to report a child missing was considered a misdemeanor under New Jersey law. There was also no set timeframe to report to authorities knowledge of a child’s disappearance.
   "This came from the case of Caylee Anthony, the 2-year-old child whose mother, Casey, failed to report her missing,” said state Sen. Linda Greenstein on Jan. 18.
   Sen. Greenstein, of the14th District, was the second co-prime sponsor of the legislation.
   Casey Anthony, a Florida resident, drew national attention in 2008 for failing to alert authorities of her toddler’s disappearance.
   "We wanted to do something about that,” Sen. Greenstein said of “Caylee’s Law.”
   In fact, it was Caylee’s grandmother, Cindy Anthony, who reported to law enforcement the little girl was missing — 31 days after she disappeared.
   Six months later, Caylee’s body was discovered in close proximity to the Anthony home. Her body, left in the Floridian sun, was severely decomposed, weakening police’s ability to gather evidence as to her exact cause of death — and murderer.
   According to Sen. Greenstein, the first few hours are critical when searching for a missing child.
   Although Ms. Anthony was found guilty for misleading police on four misdemeanor counts, she was acquitted of her daughter’s murder in 2011.
   Sen. Greenstein said every now and then, a case, such as the disappearance and death of Caylee Anthony, unites legislators.
   "I think everybody immediately came together,” Sen. Greenstein said.
   She said the main feature behind the legislation was the fact Caylee’s mother waited so long to report her missing.
   "There was just no explanation to that,” Sen. Greenstein said.
   Lawmakers wanted “to make sure that people understood that this is very serious,” Sen. Greenstein said.
   The Senate unanimously approved the legislation last month.
   "Caylee’s Law” was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie on Jan. 9.
   A parent or guardian must report a child missing, and there are penalties for not doing so, Sen. Greenstein emphasized.
   Additionally, the new law, A-4297/S-3010, requires a person report a death, without disturbing the body of a deceased person, to the police, the office of the county medical examiner or the state medical examiner. Caylee’s Law increases that offense to a fourth-degree crime, replacing its former classification as a disorderly person offense.
   In contrast to felony crimes, disorderly person offenses are punishable with six months or less imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000.
   Bills similar to Caylee’s Law have been introduced in more than a dozen states.
   Sen. Greenstein, an attorney, has a legislative track record of being an advocate for New Jersey’s children and families.
   She sponsored legislation expanding Megan’s Law, which protects children from known sex offenders.
   In addition to the Senate’s assistant majority leader, Sen. Greenstein is the vice chairwoman of the Senate’s Law and Public Safety Committee.
   "I like the area of upgrading the law and making it better in both civil and criminal law,” Sen. Greenstein said.
   Additionally, Sen. Greenstein is the vice chairwoman of the Environment and Energy Committee and a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
   For information, visit www.njsp.org/divorg/invest/mpce-unit.html of the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit.