The Family of a missing Fishers teenager who is believed to have been found dead is pushing for changes to protect children.
Hailey Buzbee, a 17-year-old student at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was last seen by her parents on Jan. 5. Police say she was picked up by Tyler Thomas, an Ohio man she’d met through online gaming.
Thomas, of Columbus, Ohio, is currently charged with pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and tampering with evidence.
Buzbee’s loved ones are now pushing for the passage of “Hailey’s Law” in Indiana.
“Our children, our most precious gifts, can vanish in moments, yet our current capabilities and resources to locate them are insufficient,” said Beau Buzbee, Hailey Buzbee’s father, in a Facebook post.
Hailey Buzbee’s loved ones are sharing a petition calling on Indiana lawmakers to pass “Hailey’s Law,” which would create a “Pink Alert” system for missing persons and children when credible risk indicators exist, even if Amber or Silver Alert criteria are not met.
The law would also mandate modern predator awareness education in Indiana schools, focused on online grooming, digital manipulation and coercive tactics.
“As Hailey matured, I was always concerned about our words as parents becoming less effective,” Beau Buzbee said in the Facebook post. “Hailey had a village. She received guidance from my sisters, other family members and counselors as well. I believe our children still need more.”
An online petition for “Hailey’s Law” has more than 42,000 signatures.
Megan Tomlinson, founder of the nonprofit Silver Lining of Hope, started the petition and has been supporting Hailey Buzbee’s family since the teen went missing. Tomlinson believes she and the family may come up with additional safety measures to include in “Hailey’s Law.”
“The main thing is we want to help as many children and persons as possible,” Tomlinson said.
Meanwhile, Hailey’s parents are dealing with the tragedy and trying to support their other young daughter, Tomlinson told IndyStar.
“They are doing as well as they can given the circumstances,” Tomlinson said. “They are really amazing people and parents.”
Community members have started hanging pink ribbons outside their homes and businesses to show support for Hailey Buzbee’s family.
“The community is all grieving with them, obviously in a different way,” said Carol Feipel, who never met the Buzbee family before the disappearance but lives in their neighborhood. “Her family has been inspiring in their love for their children and the strength they are showing. We are trying to find ways to show our support, with the pink ribbons and lights.”
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @Jake_Allen19.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: ‘Hailey’s law’: Family pushing for changes as they grieve Fishers teen Hailey Buzbee
Reporting by Jake Allen, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
