In a significant development on Monday, officials unveiled the initial phase of “Hailey’s Law,” named in memory of Hailey Buzbee, a 17-year-old from Indiana who tragically lost her life.
During a session at the Indiana State House, House Speaker Todd Huston introduced a new amendment aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of alerts for missing children. Reported by NBC 13, the amendment addresses the creation of Pink Alerts and tackles issues related to “enticement” and “human trafficking.” These measures are designed to close gaps in the current alert system.
Hailey Buzbee, a student at Hamilton Southeastern High School, vanished from Fishers on January 5, as previously covered by CrimeOnline. Her disappearance led to a multi-state search effort.
Weeks following the incident, Tyler Thomas, the prime suspect, was linked to the discovery of Hailey’s body in Wayne National Forest, located in Perry County, Ohio. This information was revealed by Thomas’s attorney, Sam Shamansky.
Initial assessments categorized Hailey as a runaway, which disqualified her from receiving an AMBER Alert, a system reserved for suspected abductions. Furthermore, she did not meet the criteria for a Silver Alert, which is typically issued for missing seniors or individuals with cognitive impairments.
She also did not qualify for a Silver Alert.
Hailey’s family subsequently pushed for “Hailey’s Law” and the “Pink Alert,” which addresses grooming and online predator situations, particularly online grooming in Indiana schools.
“This is a different world, and one that we’re all adapting to,” House Speaker Todd Huston said Monday, according to the Indy Star. “I think we’re in a world where this is always going to be looked at every session.”
The new language, which is currently under argument, would require social media businesses to use “commercially reasonable means” for age verification. It also would require parental permission for children under 16 to create an account.
Should a child create an account, the social media companies would be responsible for not allowing the minor to appear in search results. The companies would also be responsible for ensuring that the child does not receive direct messages from people they do not follow, and would be prohibited from allowing targeted advertising.
Parents would also have access to the account and be allowed to monitor activity.
“I beg of you, please do not let this opportunity slip away,” Hailey’s father, Beau, said. “The decisions that you are considering today have the power to save children’s lives.”
Meanwhile, Columbus Police Department’s Homicide Unit search warrant indicated that investigators found evidence that Buzbee had been with Thomas. He later claimed that they had been communicating for more than a year on the Session messaging app.
Investigators found sexually explicit images of the teen on Thomas’ phone, prompting his arrest for pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. He’s also charged with tampering with evidence.
Hailey’s cause and manner of death have not been determined, The Columbus Dispatch reports.
So far, no additional charges have been filed.
Thomas’ attorney, Sam Shamansky, said he expects murder charges to be filed, although Thomas denied involvement in Hailey Buzbee’s death.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Hailey Buzbee/Handout]
