Caylee's Law Gathers Support From Florida Lawmaker

Florida State Sen. Greg Evers, chairman of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, sent a letter to Senate President Mike Haridopolos Thursday asking for the go signal to draft legislation to better protect children.

This request came on the heels of the acquittal of Florida mom Casey Anthony who was facing murder charges in the death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee Anthony.

Similarly, Evers response follows movements on the social-action site Change.org where a petition targeting President Barack Obama, the Senate and the House of Representative is going viral.

The petition is asking that lawmakers make it a federal crime for parents and guardians to not immediately notify authorities of the death or disappearance of a child.

The Pensacola News Journal published a letter from Evers to Haridopolos in which Evers wrote that he's received numerous emails from concerned citizens that Florida law wasn't sufficient to protect the safety and welfare of children.

While I respect the judicial process and the burden of proof that exists in such cases, I join my fellow Floridians in voicing concern about any inconsistencies or inadequacies in the law that could potentially lead to future issues such as this, Ever wrote, as published on www.pnj.com One of the greatest privileges afforded to us as Americans is the presumption of innocence and a trial by a jury of our peers, and while I would never have wanted to be in the shoes of those Pinellas county jurors, I do feel it is imperative that we explore this issue further and, as a body, discuss any necessary changes to Florida law.

In his capacity as chairman for the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, Evers asked that Haridopolos allow the committee to dedicate its first fall meeting to discussing any potential changes that can and should be made to our criminal and civil laws that protect our most vulnerable citizens.

Evers said at Haridopolos' direction, he's requesting to hold workshops on the issue, as necessary, to ensure the Senate takes a thoughtful and measured approach while avoiding potential unintended consequences.

Oklahoma lawmaker Republican Sen. Paul Wesselhoft on Wednesday said he will introduce Caylee's Law in his state, The Associated Press reports.

Jurors returned a not guilty verdict for Casey Anthony on Tuesday, but convicted her on lying to the police who were investigating the 2008 incident. Casey Anthony may walk free soon because of time served and good behavior, according to reports.

Prosecutors have said Casey Anthony killed the toddler by drugging and suffocating her with duct tape on in June 2008 and drove for several days with the 2-year-old's body in the truck of her car before dumping the remains in the woods near the family home.

But the defense has said Caylee Anthony died in an accidental drowning in the family's backyard pool and the family tried to cover it up.