Hailey Buzbee’s dad about about proposal for Indiana law to protect kids from predators INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The father of Hailey Buzbee is pushing for a new Indiana law to protect teens and children from predators. If approved by next year’s Legislature, Hailey’s Law, named after hi s daughter, would give families and authorities opportunities to act in the most critical hours, Beau Buzbee says. The Fishers girl and Hamilton Southeastern student went missing in January after communicating with a 39-year-old Ohio man she met online. She was later found dead in Ohio. As a result of her death, Indiana lawmakers this year updated the Indiana Silver Alert to include high-risk endangered children who are missing. The proposed Hailey’s Law would institute a Pink Alert for missing high-risk youth in cases specifically involving online grooming or trafficking risks. It’s a gap, the family says, that can be missed by an Amber Alert or an Indiana Silver Alert. The proposed Hailey’s Law also would push for mandated online safety education in schools. Beau said, “We’re also asking for higher penalties for first-offense groomers. Right now, it’s a misdemeanor, and we need that to be a felony, and I think Hoosier families would agree. In today’s world, things move so fast we don’t have days before we complete some initial steps.” A suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with Hailey’s disappearance, but nobody has been criminally charged in relation to her death. Talking about his desire to change Indiana law has not an easy conversation for Beau to have as he mourns his daughter. He said she was interested in journalism and communications. “I saw a folder. It was full of college flyers and applications and Hailey. … She had a future and was looking forward to it.” “She’s a very special girl to us and because of that love and how selfless she was as a person and all about other people and those relationships, and we just want to carry that forward for others.” Beau said he intends to champion Hailey’s Law in remembrance of her and to assure it doesn’t happen to anther child again. “The changes we make together will be rooted in the love Hailey brought into this world during her time with us.” Hailey was a good kid, a star student, and a hard worker, Beau said, and there were no obvious signs. The family implemented safeguards, such as keeping no computers or phones in her room at night and keeping her door open. Despite this, she was lured away. Beau encouraged parents to be diligent and to keep communication open. “We know some of them have had to do it alone, and what we’re trying to do is surround them with love and support to where they feel hope so they can feel like they can take action and fight. … We’re trying to getting work done to fill those gaps.” Beau said he is grateful for the community support, using that attention to act. The father said he intends to deliver a draft of Hailey’s Law to state lawmakers next week. ...read more read less