Law inspired by Caylee Anthony advances

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A bill inspired by the death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony was approved in a committee hearing and is advancing in the Florida Legislature.

On Thursday, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously approved a bill that would make it a felony to intentionally give police false information regarding a missing child, The Palm Beach Post reported.

The bill, proposed by state Sen. Joe Negron, is one of at least eight other bills filed in the wake of Casey Anthony's acquittal in the death of her daughter Caylee. Negron's bill makes no direct reference to Caylee or Casey Anthony.

"I think it would be utterly reprehensible for a parent to know that their child is missing and intentionally steer law enforcement in the wrong direction," Negron said.

Under the measure, each false statement given to a police officer about a child under the age of 16 that is missing, seriously injured or dead, would be punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 fine.

The bill has to be approved by two more committees before going to the Senate floor.

"I share your dismay, disgust, reprehension, everything, just the repulsiveness, the very idea of a parent willfully giving false information," Sen. Alan Hays said. "Sen. Negron, I'm ready to throw them in jail and throw the key away."