Indiana congressman hopes to change AMBER Alert policy

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – An Indiana congressman is hoping to make a major change to how AMBER Alerts are activated in the United States. 

Congressman Rudy Yakym (R- Mishawaka) has introduced the HAILEY Act in honor of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee of Fishers.

Buzbee disappeared in January and her body was found in Ohio. Authorities say she met a 39-year-old man through online gaming and he picked her up from her home. 

Currently, AMBER Alerts are only issued when police can confirm that a child has been abducted and in immediate danger. 

The HAILEY Act would allow police to issue an AMBER Alert for kids and teens considered to be high-risk missing persons, even if they couldn’t immediately confirm an abduction 

The Buzbeee family says they are grateful to Rep. Yakym for introducing this congressional legislation 

“Real change for families like ours — who just want to keep our children safe — is now one step closer. We strongly encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to pass this commonsense legislation that could protect the next child before it’s too late,” the Buzbee family said.