Arizona’s governor enacted a new law on Tuesday to establish an alert system specifically designed for missing Native Americans. This initiative was motivated by the case of Emily Pike, a San Carlos Apache teenager who went missing and was later found deceased.
FOX 10 Phoenix notes that “Emily’s Law” is named after 14-year-old Emily, who was discovered dead near Globe several weeks following her disappearance from a group home in Mesa.
According to a legislative fact sheet, HB 2281 established the Turquoise Alert System. This system is tasked with issuing and coordinating alerts for missing tribal members under the age of 65, as well as individuals with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s Disease, or dementia. It operates similarly to an AMBER Alert, which is an emergency alert system for missing children.
The bill also requires the Arizona Department of Public Safety to request activation of the Emergency Alert System whenever an authorized enforcement agency investigating a missing person’s case makes the request.
With Gov. Katie Hobbs’ signature, Arizona joins a movement that started in 2022 in Washington state to quickly and efficiently share information about cases involving Indigenous people.
NBC News reports that Colorado, California, and several other states have adopted their own versions of alert systems for missing Native Americans. Recently, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation for a Turquoise Alert, while North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong approved a Feather Alert.
The alerts derive their names from items of spiritual and cultural significance to Native Americans.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Emily’s remains were found on February 14, over 100 miles from a group home she fled from in Mesa, in late January. Her death prompted a surge in activism focused on the alarming number of disappearances and violent deaths impacting Native American communities.
No arrests have been made in the case. Police said some of her remains were found stuffed inside trash bags, while her other body parts remain unaccounted for.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office announced last month that multiple agencies formed a task force, including the sheriff’s office, the San Carlos Apache Police Department, the Mesa Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The task force formed shortly after the San Carlos Apache Tribe offered its own $75,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Emily’s case. Earlier this month, the FBI offered its own reward of up to $75,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible for her death.
Information can also be reported to the Sheriff’s Office at 928-425-4449, option 1, or the San Carlos Apache Police Department at 928-475-1700.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via Mesa police]
