Craig Wood’s Father Testifies In Favor Of Hailey’s Law

Could 10-year-old Hailey Owen’s life been saved had the Amber Alert been issued sooner? Craig Wood’s father Jim thinks so. He testified along side Hailey’s father Markus during a Capitol hearing for a piece of legislation that would require Missouri’s Amber Alert System Oversight Committee to meet at least annually. Here’s what Jim Wood told lawmakers.

“I was within moments of Craig’s house. And I could have been at Craig’s house before Craig was there, and that is why Markus and I support Hailey’s Law.”

Craig Wood was sentenced to death for raping and murdering Hailey in 2014.

In addition to the annual meetings, Senator Eric Burlison’s bill requires the Amber Alert System to be integrated into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System known as MULES. He testified that the system failed Hailey. Springfield Police had to find a PDF file on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website, print it off and fax back a handwritten report, which then had to be recomposed by state troopers.

The House and Senate have approved similar versions of Hailey’s Law, which is known as the “Honing Alerts Issued by Law Enforcement for Youth Safety Act.” The bill is backed by House Speaker Elijah Haahr and House Democratic Leader Crystal Quade, who both live in Springfield.