May 24, 2013
North Carolina legislators are seeking passage of a law making it a felony when parents knowingly fail to report to police their child has been missing for at least 24 hours.
The House gave unanimous approval Thursday to the bill that also would create a misdemeanor if any other person reasonably suspects a child may be in danger but fails to talk to law enforcement within a reasonable time.
The bill is named "Caylee's Law," referring to Florida toddler Caylee Anthony, who wasn't reported missing until 31 days after she vanished in 2008 and had died. Caylee's mother was acquitted of murder but convicted of lying to investigators.
Parents without a previous criminal history wouldn't receive active prison time on a first offense.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
