Columbia Co. rep. introduces ‘Aiden’s Law’ to establish alert system for certain missing kids
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg on March 21, 2023.
BLOOMSBURG – A Columbia County state representative is introducing a bill to establish an alert system to help prevent a tragedy like the death of the bill’s namesake.
Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia) introduced House Bill 2102 — Aiden’s Law — in honor of Aiden Ha.
Aiden, a 6-year-old nonverbal autistic child, was found dead in the Susquehanna River in October.
“Aiden’s heartbreaking passing shattered our communities,” said Leadbeter. “As a father, every parent’s worst nightmare is losing their child. As a brother of a police officer, I know firsthand how law enforcement is the last line of defense to protect those who are unable to do so themselves. This effort has bipartisan support. We must act with urgency and enact this into law so tragedies like these can be prevented from happening again.”
Leadbeter’s bill would create a Purple Alert system in Pennsylvania, similar to the Amber Alert for abducted children and Silver Alert for missing older alerts. It would rapidly notify the public and law enforcement when an individual with certain cognitive, intellectual, or development disabilities goes missing.
According to Leadbeter, Pennsylvania would join Florida, Maryland, Kansas, Mississippi, Connecticut and West Virginia if this program were to become implemented into law.
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