(INDIANAPOLIS) -- A grieving father is urging Indiana lawmakers to pass stronger social media protections after his 17-year-old daughter was killed by a man she met online.
Beau Buzbee testified Monday at the Indiana Statehouse about his daughter, Hailey Paige Buzbee, who went missing last month from her home in Fishers. Investigators later found her body in Ohio.
Authorities say Hailey met 39-year-old Tyler Thomas while playing video games online. Thomas has been arrested and is facing multiple charges related to the case, though he has not been charged with murder.
During his testimony, Buzbee told lawmakers the family discovered serious gaps in protections for children online. He said the alert system failed and described the internet and social media as places where predators can easily target young people.
Buzbee and his family are pushing lawmakers to strengthen Senate Bill 199 by adding requirements for parental consent before children under 16 can create social media accounts. The proposed changes would also require platforms to block messages from strangers, hide children's profiles from search results, and remove features designed to encourage excessive use.
Lawmakers held a news conference alongside the family, promising action. State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn of Fishers said lawmakers are committed to ensuring Hailey's death leads to meaningful change.
Legislators are expected to debate the proposed amendment later this week. They are also considering changes to House Bill 1303, which would give police more flexibility when issuing Amber Alerts, particularly in cases involving online luring.
Lawmakers say additional child safety legislation could be introduced in future sessions.