Judiciary Should Review State Law After Anthony Verdict

By Rep. John Taylor

I have heard from many constituents who have asked that Pennsylvania adopt new laws that would make it a felony to fail to report the death or disappearance of a child.

I want to thank you for writing to me. As a member of the General Assembly, I always welcome hearing the views of citizens on matters of important public policy such as this. Such input helps me enormously to best represent the people I was elected to serve.

Let me begin by saying I share the frustration and outrage of so many Americans that justice has yet to be served in the death of little Caylee Anthony. Society’s first obligation is to do everything it can to protect its people and protection of children and others who are the most vulnerable has to be our top priority.

Though a jury has determined there was insufficient evidence to convict Casey Anthony of actually causing the death of Caylee, the fact that she apparently failed to immediately notify authorities either of the child’s death (accidental or otherwise) or disappearance is incomprehensible. I do not know why that was not included in the charges lodged against her but perhaps Florida had no law criminalizing such conduct.

On the other hand, Pennsylvania’s Crimes Code includes a provision entitled Concealing the Death of a Child. This law makes it a crime for a parent to knowingly keep the death of his or her child from coming to light.

Likewise, I believe Pennsylvania’s Endangering the Welfare of a Child statute could be used to prosecute a parent who knowingly failed to report to authorities that their young child was missing. Though each of these crimes is classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree, Pennsylvania law provides for up to five years imprisonment in a state correctional institution on conviction.

In spite of the fact that Pennsylvania law currently addresses some of the circumstances brought to light in this tragedy, as legislators, we should always try to close any loopholes or correct a lack of clarity that may exist.

I have brought your concerns to the attention of the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and requested that the committee review our statutes and take all necessary steps to ensure that the law is clear and unambiguous regarding the responsibility of parents and guardians.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I welcome input from citizens like you, and commend you for your involvement in helping to prevent another tragedy like the nation witnessed in Florida.