LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – After the murder of a six-year-old boy, Michigan lawmakers introduced new legislation on Wednesday that would broaden the criteria for a state to issue an AMBER Alert.
Remembering Rowan.
Brandi Morey Pole, mother of Rowan Milfold Morey, the boy who was murdered by his biological father in August 2024, testified in front of the House’s Subcommittee on Child Welfare System on Tuesday.
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“I experienced a life-altering event nine months ago today,” she said in the hearing. “Since that moment, I’ve wondered what excuse a mother should accept when her child has been missing for 52 hours.”
Pole contacted the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office after her son was not returned to her after a weeklong summer visit with his biological father, a convicted felon. Officers told her that since this was a civil matter, they could not get involved.
The current law.
Under current law, Michigan State Police can only issue an AMBER Alert if:
- A child under 18 has been abducted and is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death; and,
- There is sufficient information available so that the general public could assist in safely recovering the child and/or catching the suspect.
New proposed changes.
House Bills 4517 and 4518 will make it easier for people to release reports on missing children.
House Bill 4517, entitled “Child Abduction Broadcast Act,” will broadcast information concerning a child abduction or a missing child by radio and television stations.
“The Amber Alert system in Michigan is almost 25 years old. Our technology – specifically the way we distribute information – has changed a lot since 2001,” Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) said in a press release. “Updating the Amber Alert system by tapping into broadcast avenues like social media will help ensure that we can get information in front of people as quickly as possible. These efforts to expedite our rapid emergency response systems are critical to increasing the chances of a safe recovery in times of crisis.”
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House Bill 4518, known as the “Rowan Act,” in memory of the boy who was murdered, will allow AMBER Alerts to be sent when law enforcement receive a report that there is:
- A missing child with special needs; or,
- A missing child who the department believes is in danger after a law enforcement agency conducts a preliminary investigation.
Michigan Representative Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia), one of the proponents of the bill, said this Act will empower the Michigan State Police to activate the Amber Alert system when they believe a child is in danger.
“This is a positive and common-sense fix for a problem that should’ve been solved a long time ago,” Rigas said in a press release. “It’s important we hold Rowan Morey and his family close to our hearts and continue to ensure this will never happen again. Rowan’s life was cut short, but his legacy will live on through the lives that will be saved through swift action and resolve.”