Let’s Get Levi’s Law Started
Let’s Get Levi’s Law Started
The Issue
If a child seeks assistance, would you provide support? If a child reports abuse or mistreatment, would you contact the appropriate authorities? Undoubtedly, the ethical response would be to take action to protect the child's well-being.
In April 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Valparaiso, Indiana, where a 10-year-old child, Dakota "Levi" Stevens, was murdered by his foster mother. When a concerned neighbor attempted to intervene and contact the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to seek assistance at Levi's frantic requests, the neighbor was instructed to return the child to the abusive foster parent, Jennifer Wilson, or face possible legal repercussions. Despite Levi's pleas for help, the proper authorities were not promptly notified, and a devastating outcome ensued. After spending two days on life support due to the life-threatening injuries Levi endured, he passed away on April 27th, 2024.
This senseless tragedy highlights the critical need for legislative change to mandate that any adult made aware of a child's abuse, a child in danger, or a child's request for assistance MUST report the situation to the local police department or face legal repercussions such as a felony charge for accessory to child endangerment and/or possibly pay fines.
We request your support in ensuring that any child seeking help receives the necessary assistance.
By signing this petition, you can lend your voice to advocating for "Levi's Law," which would compel any and all adults to contact the authorities when a child seeks help or reports abuse. This petition will be presented to the Senator of Indiana, with the ultimate goal of enacting federal legislation to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Your signature can make a meaningful difference in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring their safety. Together, we can be the change we wish to see and honor Levi's memory by taking action to safeguard all children in need.
Presented below is our proposed legislation to enact Levi’s Law: Protecting Children and Their Rights Act, a federal mandate to safeguard children nationwide.
This is the proposal we plan to present to Indiana Legislators in hopes of kick starting Levi’s Law nationally.
Levi’s Law: Protecting Children and Their Rights Act
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as “Levi’s Law.”
SECTION 2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Act is to establish a national mandate requiring any adult who becomes aware of abuse, neglect, or danger involving a child—or who receives a plea for help from a
child—to report such concerns to law enforcement. This legislation aims to ensure timely intervention, accountability, and protection of all children, while preventing tragedies like the death of Dakota “Levi” Stevens.
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Act:
� “Child” means any person under the age of 18.
� “Mandated reporter” refers to all adults, regardless of profession or relationship to the
child.
� “Authorities” refers to the local law enforcement agency or 911 emergency services.
� “Failure to report” means any act of omission in which an adult knowingly chooses not to report a child’s plea for help, known or suspected abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
SECTION 4. MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
(a) Any adult who becomes aware of, witnesses, or is informed by a child of abuse, neglect, or imminent danger must immediately report the concern to the appropriate law enforcement
agency.
(b) Reports must be made directly to police or 911; internal reports to employers, agencies, or
child welfare departments alone do not fulfill the obligation under this law.
(c) A report must include, to the extent known:
� The child’s name and approximate age,
� The nature of the concern (abuse, neglect, trafficking, etc.),
� The suspected perpetrator (if known),
� The location of the child.
SECTION 5. PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO REPORT
(a) Any adult who willfully fails to report as required by this Act may be charged with:
� A felony as an accessory to child endangerment, in cases resulting in serious harm or death,
� A misdemeanor for lesser cases, with escalating consequences for repeat offenses,
� Civil penalties, including fines of up to $10,000. (b) No person shall be penalized for making a report in good faith, even if the claim cannot be
substantiated.
SECTION 6. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING
(a) The Department of Health and Human Services shall launch a public awareness campaign to inform citizens of their obligations under Levi’s Law.
(b) Training materials shall be distributed to schools, employers, and community organizations to
ensure awareness of reporting procedures and responsibilities.
SECTION 7. STATE COOPERATION AND FEDERAL INCENTIVES
(a) States must align their child protection laws with Levi’s Law to remain eligible for certain federal child welfare grants.
(b) The federal government shall provide implementation funding to states to support compliance, training, and data tracking.
SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
(a) This Act shall take effect one year after enactment.
(b) The U.S. Department of Justice shall issue guidance to state agencies within 180 days of the Act’s passage to assist in enforcement.
SECTION 9. HONORING DAKOTA "LEVI" STEVENS
This Act is named in honor of Dakota “Levi” Stevens, a 10-year-old boy who was murdered in in
April 2024 after multiple cries for help were ignored. Levi’s Law exists to ensure that every child’s voice is heard, every adult is held accountable, and no child is ever again abandoned to abuse.
https://www.aol.com/10-old-boy-department-child-161004283.html
1,173
The Issue
If a child seeks assistance, would you provide support? If a child reports abuse or mistreatment, would you contact the appropriate authorities? Undoubtedly, the ethical response would be to take action to protect the child's well-being.
In April 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Valparaiso, Indiana, where a 10-year-old child, Dakota "Levi" Stevens, was murdered by his foster mother. When a concerned neighbor attempted to intervene and contact the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to seek assistance at Levi's frantic requests, the neighbor was instructed to return the child to the abusive foster parent, Jennifer Wilson, or face possible legal repercussions. Despite Levi's pleas for help, the proper authorities were not promptly notified, and a devastating outcome ensued. After spending two days on life support due to the life-threatening injuries Levi endured, he passed away on April 27th, 2024.
This senseless tragedy highlights the critical need for legislative change to mandate that any adult made aware of a child's abuse, a child in danger, or a child's request for assistance MUST report the situation to the local police department or face legal repercussions such as a felony charge for accessory to child endangerment and/or possibly pay fines.
We request your support in ensuring that any child seeking help receives the necessary assistance.
By signing this petition, you can lend your voice to advocating for "Levi's Law," which would compel any and all adults to contact the authorities when a child seeks help or reports abuse. This petition will be presented to the Senator of Indiana, with the ultimate goal of enacting federal legislation to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Your signature can make a meaningful difference in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring their safety. Together, we can be the change we wish to see and honor Levi's memory by taking action to safeguard all children in need.
Presented below is our proposed legislation to enact Levi’s Law: Protecting Children and Their Rights Act, a federal mandate to safeguard children nationwide.
This is the proposal we plan to present to Indiana Legislators in hopes of kick starting Levi’s Law nationally.
Levi’s Law: Protecting Children and Their Rights Act
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as “Levi’s Law.”
SECTION 2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Act is to establish a national mandate requiring any adult who becomes aware of abuse, neglect, or danger involving a child—or who receives a plea for help from a
child—to report such concerns to law enforcement. This legislation aims to ensure timely intervention, accountability, and protection of all children, while preventing tragedies like the death of Dakota “Levi” Stevens.
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Act:
� “Child” means any person under the age of 18.
� “Mandated reporter” refers to all adults, regardless of profession or relationship to the
child.
� “Authorities” refers to the local law enforcement agency or 911 emergency services.
� “Failure to report” means any act of omission in which an adult knowingly chooses not to report a child’s plea for help, known or suspected abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
SECTION 4. MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
(a) Any adult who becomes aware of, witnesses, or is informed by a child of abuse, neglect, or imminent danger must immediately report the concern to the appropriate law enforcement
agency.
(b) Reports must be made directly to police or 911; internal reports to employers, agencies, or
child welfare departments alone do not fulfill the obligation under this law.
(c) A report must include, to the extent known:
� The child’s name and approximate age,
� The nature of the concern (abuse, neglect, trafficking, etc.),
� The suspected perpetrator (if known),
� The location of the child.
SECTION 5. PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO REPORT
(a) Any adult who willfully fails to report as required by this Act may be charged with:
� A felony as an accessory to child endangerment, in cases resulting in serious harm or death,
� A misdemeanor for lesser cases, with escalating consequences for repeat offenses,
� Civil penalties, including fines of up to $10,000. (b) No person shall be penalized for making a report in good faith, even if the claim cannot be
substantiated.
SECTION 6. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING
(a) The Department of Health and Human Services shall launch a public awareness campaign to inform citizens of their obligations under Levi’s Law.
(b) Training materials shall be distributed to schools, employers, and community organizations to
ensure awareness of reporting procedures and responsibilities.
SECTION 7. STATE COOPERATION AND FEDERAL INCENTIVES
(a) States must align their child protection laws with Levi’s Law to remain eligible for certain federal child welfare grants.
(b) The federal government shall provide implementation funding to states to support compliance, training, and data tracking.
SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
(a) This Act shall take effect one year after enactment.
(b) The U.S. Department of Justice shall issue guidance to state agencies within 180 days of the Act’s passage to assist in enforcement.
SECTION 9. HONORING DAKOTA "LEVI" STEVENS
This Act is named in honor of Dakota “Levi” Stevens, a 10-year-old boy who was murdered in in
April 2024 after multiple cries for help were ignored. Levi’s Law exists to ensure that every child’s voice is heard, every adult is held accountable, and no child is ever again abandoned to abuse.
https://www.aol.com/10-old-boy-department-child-161004283.html
1,173
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on February 7, 2025