Caylee's Law Will Send Law Enforcement on Many Wild Goose Chases

In light of the Casey Anthony trial, many states are rushing to pass Caylee's law. Caylee's law states that law enforcement must be contacted within 24 hours of a child missing. This is more of that feel-good legislation that politicians do to get noticed during a high-profile news story like the Caylee Anthony story. The reality of this law has some serious questions that need to be asked.

Obviously, most parents have the common sense to alert police if their child is missing. That's the first problem with this law. It assumes that the law in place would have forced Casey Anthony to come to the cops. Not being afraid to lie, don't you think Casey Anthony would have bought some time with lies? Those who are involved in wrong doing are going to cover their tracks and buy some time even with a law like this in place. Parents who love their children aren't going to be afraid to call the cops.

Then the other part of this is will parents became afraid not to contact cops in fear they will face legal hassles if they wait. Kids not answering their cell phones, sneaking around, drinking, drunk, passed out, will all have cops whose budgets are already stressed now serving as baby sitters for parents who lose track of their children.

My buddy Caleb Harris wonders, "on its face this sounds great, but take this scenario into account. What if a family has their child kidnapped, and they cannot report it or their child will be killed?"

Caylee's Law is a knee jerk reaction to a rare case. It looks like Oklahoma may be the first state to pass the bill.