Kander Files For Porter Kids

An afternoon presser from State Rep. Jason Kander shows the Kansas City politico working to protect youngsters during tense custody battles.

Rep. Kander files Sam and Lindsey’s Law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Jason Kander today filed Sam and Lindsey’s Law, which would empower law enforcement with additional information that could potentially allow them to prevent cases of parental kidnapping.

HB 2420 would require more detailed information related to orders of protection and child custody orders to be entered into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System. With this information in the law enforcement database, officers making routine traffic stops could determine if a person with a protection order against them is supposed to have custody of his or her children and allow the officer to verify the welfare of those children.



“Situations involving domestic violence can be extremely volatile, and when children are involved, law enforcement needs to be even more vigilant,” said Kander, D-Kansas City. “Officers should be aware of all available information when encountering someone who may be a risk to children.”

The legislation is named after Sam and Lindsey Porter of Independence. Sam, 7, and Lindsey, 8, were kidnapped by their father in June 2004. Although convicted of kidnapping in February 2006, the father steadfastly refused to divulge the fate or whereabouts of his children. Their bodies were eventually found in a wooded area of Sugar Creek in September 2007. The father pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder in January 2008 and is serving life prison sentences without possibility of parole.

Tina Porter, Sam and Lindsey’s mother, has worked with Kander on the issue of parental abduction.

“I know in my heart this will help other families, and I hope to God they will not have to go through what I have had to,” Porter said.

Jackson County law enforcement officials are also supportive of the bill.

“I support this legislation, and I applaud Representative Kander for working to give law enforcement more tools to protect our children,” said Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Kanatzar.

Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp added: “Law enforcement officers across the state can benefit from another tool that helps protect children in parental custody cases, and hopefully it will prevent what happened to Sam and Lindsey from ever happening again.”

House Minority Leader Paul LeVota, D-Independence, said the bill is an appropriate response to the Porter case.

“This was one of the most tragic crimes that Eastern Jackson County has seen,” LeVota said. “It is unfortunate, but sometimes the person a child most needs to be protected from is a parent.”

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