Petition to change AMBER alert system gains traction following murder of three girls in Wenatchee

Whitney’s Law, a petition aimed at reforming the AMBER alert system, has attracted over 7,000 signatures following the murder of three young girls in Wenatchee, WA. The girls, Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia, were reported missing after a scheduled visitation with their father, Travis Decker, whose suspected involvement has raised concerns about the alert criteria. Law enforcement issued a SILVER alert instead of an AMBER alert, as the situation did not meet the established criteria for abduction. The girls were tragically found murdered, underscoring the limitations of the current alert system. According to the Office of Justice Programs, AMBER alerts require reasonable belief of abduction and imminent danger, which was not recognized in this case.

Decker remains at large, with ongoing searches failing to locate him. Advocates for Whitney’s Law argue that changes are necessary to ensure that similar situations prompt more immediate alerts. The petition seeks to address these gaps and enhance the safety of children in custody disputes.