As a parent, I can’t stop thinking about Evelyn (8), Paityn (9), and Olivia Decker (5)—three young sisters in Washington State who were murdered by their father after he failed to return them from a scheduled visit.

Their mother had warned authorities. A court had ruled the father was dangerous. But when he fled with the girls, no Amber Alert was issued—because it didn’t meet the narrow legal criteria.

That’s not just a loophole. That’s a fatal failure of the system.

Amber Alerts are supposed to save lives. But when family court documents, protective orders, and past violence don’t qualify as enough of a threat, then the system is broken—and it needs to change.

We’re calling on the U.S. Department of Justice and state Amber Alert coordinators to expand Amber Alert criteria to include family abductions involving known threats, custody violations, or protective orders.

Ensure immediate review protocols when a child is taken by a parent flagged as dangerous in court.

Evelyn, Paityn, and Olivia should still be here. Their mother did everything right—but the system didn’t respond in time.

Let their story lead to change. Reform the Amber Alert system now—before another family suffers this unimaginable loss.