TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Mar 26, 2021

A bill named for a slain toddler is headed for Gov. Bill Lee’s desk after receiving unanimous approval from the state House of Representatives yesterday. The state Senate had approved the bill on Monday. HB384/SB327 would require parents who know or suspect their child is missing to report that information to local law enforcement or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation within 24 hours. The bill applies to children 12 years or younger. Failure to notify law enforcement would result in a fine of up to $2,500 and up to 11 months and 29 days in jail. If the child is found with bodily harm, a parent who failed to report could face up to $10,000 in fines and 15 years in jail. The bill is named for Sullivan County toddler Evelyn Boswell, who was found dead after her disappearance went unreported for roughly two months, Mainstreet-Nashville reports.