Senate approves changes to how Wisconsin reports missing children

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) --Lawmakers reached their first hurdle in trying to change how law enforcement notifies the public when a child goes missing.

On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan bill that would reform the state's Amber Alert system to include more children who currently don't meet certain criteria.

"This bill is a big deal," said Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee), who co-authored the bill after the tragic death of 5-year-old Prince McCree."

In October of 2023, McCree was murdered in Milwaukee after being reported missing. Police tried to issue a critical missing alert, but McCree did not fit the Wisconsin Department of Justice guidelines.

Under current law, for an Amber Alert to be issued in Wisconsin, the child must be 17 years of age or younger, and there also must be a reasonable belief by law enforcement that the child was abducted, in danger, or police must have a description of a suspect or a vehicle.

The proposal would change that by expanding the criteria to include more missing persons under the age of 18 and alerting the public by pinging their cellphones if they’re in the area where someone was reported missing.

"This bill unifies the entire state, and all missing children will have the same resources," Johnson said.

This is the second time lawmakers have tried to change Wisconsin's Amber Alert System. Back in 2022, a petition circulated to reform the system after the death of 10-year-old Lily Peters, who was murdered in Chippewa Falls.

Sen. Jesse James (R-Altoona) introduced the bill following Peters death.

"Anything we can do to improve the quickest recovery available if they are in harm's way, I think that's critical," James said.

The bill still needs to pass the Assembly, which is expected to hold their final session day on Thursday. Currently, the proposal is scheduled for a vote, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said "it wouldn't surprise" him if it gets added to the calendar.

Vos said some lawmakers still had questions about the bill, something that took James and Johnson by surprise.

"I don't know what the holdup is, what the issues are, but I'm going to have conversations [with the Assembly]," James said.

Johnson said, "There are a lot of parents depending on this bill…but we’re having some bumps in the road, and we shouldn't."