Gov. Tony Evers speaks to FOX 11 during his visit to the Boys and Girls Club of Menasha July 19, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A bill that addresses the gaps in the Wisconsin AMBER Alert system was signed into law Tuesday.
Gov. Tony Evers signed the bipartisan “Prince Act” at Hawley Environmental School in Milwaukee.
The bill was inspired by the tragic disappearances of children Prince McCree in Milwaukee and Lily Peters in Chippewa Falls, whose cases, at the time did not meet certain criteria to issue AMBER alerts.
According to AMBER Alert Wisconsin, to issue an AMBER Alert, a child must be 17 years of age or younger, in danger of serious bodily harm or death, and the initiating agency must have enough descriptive information about the child, the suspect and/or the suspect vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help locate the child.
To ensure authorities in future missing child cases have expanded resources to issue quicker and more robust alert notices to the public, the bill expands the Silver Alert system to apply to certain children and an AMBER alert could be issued if the person is under the age of 18, their location is unknown, they do not otherwise qualify for another alert, and they are unable to return home without help because of a physical or mental condition, disability, or age (i.e., that they are under 10 years old).
The bill was signed at the former elementary school of McCree. On Oct. 25, 2023, McCree stayed home from school because he was sick. Prince’s mother had allowed him to play video games in the basement with members of the household, which occurred regularly. Prince’s mother later could not find him and proceeded to call the authorities to report him missing. The Milwaukee Police Department requested an AMBER Alert; however, the request was denied. The next day, on Oct. 26, 2023, Prince’s body was discovered in a dumpster.
On April 24, 2022, 10-year-old Iliana “Lily” Peters went to visit her aunt’s house, located nearly a quarter of a mile away from her home. Lily’s father later reported that she was missing at 9 p.m. after Lily had not returned home. At the time of her disappearance, the Chippewa Falls Police Department reported Lily’s case had not met the criteria for an AMBER Alert. The next morning, April 25, 2022, Lily’s body was discovered.
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