Schram: Protecting the vulnerable should be top priority
If we can't protect the most vulnerable among us, what's the point?
Kimmie Daily was 16 years old when she disappeared in August of 2010.
Her father immediately called police to report her missing, only to be told that authorities could do nothing until 24 hours had lapsed because, being a teenager, Kimmie could have simply run away from home.
Kimmie's dad explained that his daughter was born developmentally disabled and had the maturity of maybe a 10-year-old.
No matter.
The law kept police from responding.
A week after she went missing, her body was found in some bushes several blocks from her house.
An 18-year-old neighbor was later charged with her rape and murder.
Senate Bill 6162 - now referred to as "Kimmie's Law" - would require law enforcement to issue something similar to an Amber Alert within a few hours of a missing persons report if it involves someone with developmental disabilities.
If passed, this measure would legally underscore the need for police to act more quickly and decisively in cases where someone with a developmental disability goes missing.
There's no reason that Senate Bill 6162 should not quickly pass muster.
Because if we can't protect the most vulnerable among us, what's the point?
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
Kimmie Daily was 16 years old when she disappeared in August of 2010.
Her father immediately called police to report her missing, only to be told that authorities could do nothing until 24 hours had lapsed because, being a teenager, Kimmie could have simply run away from home.
Kimmie's dad explained that his daughter was born developmentally disabled and had the maturity of maybe a 10-year-old.
No matter.
The law kept police from responding.
A week after she went missing, her body was found in some bushes several blocks from her house.
An 18-year-old neighbor was later charged with her rape and murder.
Senate Bill 6162 - now referred to as "Kimmie's Law" - would require law enforcement to issue something similar to an Amber Alert within a few hours of a missing persons report if it involves someone with developmental disabilities.
If passed, this measure would legally underscore the need for police to act more quickly and decisively in cases where someone with a developmental disability goes missing.
There's no reason that Senate Bill 6162 should not quickly pass muster.
Because if we can't protect the most vulnerable among us, what's the point?
-----
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
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