(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Indiana Congressman Rudy Yakym has introduced legislation that would expand Amber Alert eligibility to include high-risk missing children even when an abduction has not been confirmed.
The proposal, known as the HAILEY Act, is named after 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee of Fishers, whose disappearance and death drew national attention earlier this year.
Why The Bill Was Introduced
Under current Amber Alert guidelines, law enforcement generally must confirm that a child has been abducted and is in immediate danger before an Amber Alert can be issued.
Authorities say Buzbee's disappearance was initially classified as a runaway case, making her ineligible for an Amber Alert.
Yakym's proposal would allow alerts for high-risk missing children under the age of 18 even when investigators have not yet established that an abduction occurred.
Supporters say the change would give law enforcement another tool when children disappear under suspicious circumstances and may be vulnerable to exploitation or harm.
What Happened To Hailey Buzbee
Federal prosecutors say Buzbee met 39-year-old Tyler Thomas of Columbus, Ohio, through online gaming platforms, including Roblox and League of Legends.
According to federal court documents, Thomas traveled from Columbus to Fortville, Indiana, during the overnight hours of Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 and drove Buzbee back to Ohio.
Investigators say cellphone data later placed Thomas at an Airbnb in Logan, Ohio, before tracking him near the North Country Trail Trailhead in Wayne National Forest. Buzbee's remains were later discovered in the area.
The case quickly attracted attention in both Indiana and Ohio and raised questions about whether additional public alerts could have aided the search effort.
Federal Charges Filed
Despite the discovery of Buzbee's remains, Thomas has not been charged with murder.
Instead, federal prosecutors have charged him with sexually exploiting a minor and traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison on each count.
When announcing the charges, federal prosecutors emphasized that the investigation remains active.
"The filing of these federal charges does not signal the end of the investigation," U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace said. "Our prosecutors continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to collect and comb through evidence in pursuit of justice for Hailey and her family."
Murder charges have not yet been filed in the case because investigators are still in the active, fact-gathering stage of building an airtight homicide case.
Evidence Described In Court Documents
Federal investigators say a forensic review of Thomas' cellphone uncovered deleted communications with Buzbee, including messages exchanged through Snapchat and sexually explicit images allegedly taken at both his Columbus residence and the Airbnb in Logan.
Authorities also searched Thomas' residence and the Airbnb, collecting electronic devices and other evidence. Investigators reported finding possible traces of blood at the Airbnb, which were submitted for further analysis.
Court documents further allege investigators found child sexual abuse material involving a young girl estimated to be between seven and 10 years old on Thomas' cellphone.
Federal investigators also allege Thomas engaged in sexually explicit online communications with another teenager through Discord.
According to the federal complaint, Thomas allegedly asked the teen, "Does baby carve parts of her own body?" and later wrote, "...you'd look so good covered in red."
Prosecutors argue those communications demonstrate a pattern of exploitation involving minors beyond the allegations connected to Buzbee.
The allegations contained in the complaint have not been proven in court, and Thomas is presumed innocent unless convicted.
Why The Case Resonated With Parents
The case has heightened concerns about the risks children can face through online gaming platforms, messaging apps and social media.
Investigators allege Buzbee and Thomas first connected online before eventually meeting in person.
Supporters of the HAILEY Act argue the case highlights how online relationships between adults and minors can create significant dangers even when a disappearance initially appears to be a runaway case rather than a traditional abduction.
What Happens Next
The HAILEY Act has been introduced in Congress and will now move through the legislative process.
Yakym said the goal is to provide law enforcement with greater flexibility when children disappear under circumstances suggesting they may be at risk, even before investigators can conclusively determine an abduction has occurred.
Meanwhile, federal investigators say their work in the Buzbee case continues, and prosecutors have indicated the investigation remains ongoing.