A Tier 1 registered sex offender, Brandon Keith Riley Mitchell, was convicted in Pennsylvania for the sexual abuse of a minor and is publicly listed on the Megan’s Law registry. Despite this, he and his partner have recently obtained custody of a newborn baby through surrogacy. This is possible only due to a dangerous legal loophole in Pennsylvania that allows sex offenders — even those convicted of crimes against children — to access custody through private or unregulated reproductive arrangements.

This child is now living in the custody of a man convicted of sexually abusing a child. The public is outraged, and we are demanding immediate action.

We call on Governor Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and the Pennsylvania Legislature to:

Launch an immediate investigation into the current custody arrangement.
Enact emergency protections to ensure this child is removed from danger.
Close any legal gaps that allow sex offenders access to adoption, surrogacy, or custody.
Child safety must come before adult privilege. If Pennsylvania does not act now, more predators will exploit this system. We will not remain silent while children are handed over to known abusers.