Alabama lawmaker plans response to Anthony verdict
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama legislator says she will introduce a bill that would make it a felony crime for a parent, legal guardian or caretaker not to notify law enforcement authorities within one hour after the death of a child.
Democratic Rep. Juandalynn Givan of Birmingham said she prepared the bill as a response to the not guilty verdicts in Florida against Casey Anthony, charged in the death of her two-year-old daughter Caylee. Givan said she was concerned by trial testimony that it was days after Caylee’s apparent death before she was reported missing.
Givan said the bill would also require parents to report a missing child within 24 hours. She said the bill will be introduced in the next regular session in February unless Gov. Robert Bentley calls a special session earlier. Anthony was convicted on four counts of lying to authorities and received the maximum four year penalty, plus fines. She will be released from jail Wednesday after serving around three years awiting her trial.