Image from Change.org
Last week, it seems the entire country was up in arms over the Casey Anthony trial that came to a close with a verdict of “not guilty.” Not only does the mother of the murdered and discarded baby girl, Caylee, go free, but she also gets out next week. The judge felt she had already served the required time for her “lies” to the police during the investigation that accompanied the disappearance of her little girl. According to a post-trial poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that Casey Anthony is guilty of her daughter’s demise. In general, people seem to be disgusted with the jurors who found the evidence against her circumstantial and not enough to warrant a verdict of guilty.
Whatever the truth is, Casey is free and Caylee’s death goes unpunished. Many feel that justice has not prevailed here — at least not for her. But for many other children whose disappearance goes unreported by their care givers, justice may be a surer thing. Like Megan’s Law, which requires sex offenders to be registered for public consumption after the rape and murder of 7-year-old Megan Kanka, a new law is being put in place to protect children after one was lost due to her mother’s negligence. Caylee Anthony was gone for 31 days before her mother reported her missing; by the time her small body was discovered in the woods, there was hardly any evidence as to how she had been killed — and this is why her death is left without justice. The victim is silenced, without fairness, and the culprit responsible (in many ways) remains, appropriating the guise of victim and despondent mother. The truth is buried along with the remains of an innocent, but law prevails — after the fact — in protecting the future of other children that go missing.
Caylee’s Law, if passed, will enforce strict laws on parents ensuring that they are found culpable if they do not report their missing children to the police within a two-hour window. More about this on this video:
If you have not already done so, Change.org has created a petition to pass this law. Over a million signatures have been added. Make sure to sign your name to this petition and ensure that Caylee’s misfortune does not rob another child’s need for justice.
Related articles
- 16 States Introduce Caylee’s Laws (michellegilstrap.wordpress.com)
I just signed the petition, Marina. Thanks for this post.
On another note, last week I was having problems connecting to your blog. I almost started twitching–an entire week without your relevant and important posts? Oy!
Karen, thanks for signing the petition. Sorry about the site. I get that too, sometimes. I think it’s because my plugins interfere with the new theme — but I’m too scared to try and fix it. I am sacrificing speed for appearance here! Thanks for your patience!
While I certainly understand the desire for justice and passion to protect children we must be careful not to rapidly pass a law due to an emotional response to specific situations without considering the long-term ramifications. I just want people to thoroughly think this over before pushing for new law. Here is an article to consider:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/caylees-law-casey-anthony-_n_893953.html?ir=Politics&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009&ref=fb&src=sp
As for the Anthony verdict, here are some thoughts on that: http://browneyedamazon.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/who-is-this-for/
Great blog! Looking forward to reading more.
I agree with you, Ana, on responding out of emotion. But this is a start. I didn’t get involved in the trial, but the fact the law is as it is and she doesn’t get anything for her participation is saddening to me — and many people. It is always good to act with prudence. Thank you for bringing your thoughts to this forum