July 17, 2011:
Make it a crime when a parent doesn’t report child’s death

CASEY ANTHONY CASE PROMPTS MARYLAND BILL

The Casey Anthony murder trial in Orlando, Florida has prompted Senator Nancy Jacobs, Minority Leader (R-Harford/Cecil), to pre-file a bill in the Maryland General Assembly that will make our state tougher on parents who don’t report the death of their child. The closely watched trial resulted in a not guilty verdict for Anthony who was charged with the murder of her two year old daughter. Anthony is guilty of a more minor charge of lying to police and is expected to be released from jail soon.

On the two days following that verdict Senator Jacobs received 22 email requests from constituents in Harford and Cecil Counties asking that she review Maryland law and find a way criminalize the act of not reporting the death of one’s own child.

In response the senator has just asked that a bill be pre-filed for the 2012 General Assembly Session. That legislation would make it a felony for a parent, legal guardian, or caretaker not to notify law enforcement of the death of a child, accidental or otherwise, within a short time period of time after that death is discovered.

Senator Nancy Jacobs has advocated for children frequently, passing Jessica’s Law and other bills that crack down on Child Sex Offenders and require they receive tough mandatory sentences.