On a tragic day in 2021, my daughter Nicole (Niki), only 13 years old, lost her life to a drowning incident while under the supervision of trusted family friends. Despite the presence of three adults, the circumstances surrounding her death were initially misrepresented. When the painful truth finally emerged, it was too late to act: those responsible were under the influence of drugs, and because of delayed revelations, no timely drug tests were conducted. No one has been held accountable, and Nicole has not received the justice she deserved.

This heart-wrenching tragedy emphasizes a glaring gap in our legal system that must be addressed. The failure to hold anyone accountable due to a lack of timely forensic evidence is unacceptable, and similar oversights should not occur to other families in the future. Establishing a legal mandate to drug test individuals responsible for supervising children who die while under their care is a necessary step to ensure justice.

Drug use impairs judgment and compromises the safety of vulnerable children, and timely testing can provide crucial evidence in uncovering the truth of tragic incidents. Implementing a law that mandates drug testing in these scenarios will act as a significant deterrent against potential negligence while also ensuring that those who fail to protect our children face legal scrutiny.

With drug-related negligence causing untold harm, a legal framework for mandatory testing will serve as an essential tool for law enforcement and judicial entities. This will help ascertain the truth behind avoidable incidents involving children and offer the grieving families the justice they so rightfully deserve.

Let us unite in advocating for this crucial legislation to protect children and hold negligent caretakers accountable. Please sign this petition, so no other child faces a preventable tragedy like Nicole did and receive the justice they deserve.