Fla gov signs law inspired by Caylee's death

Casey Anthony with daughter Caylee are pictured together. / Personal Photo

(AP) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed a bill inspired by 2-year-old Caylee Anthony's death.

The law increases the maximum penalty from a year in jail to five years in prison for knowingly making a false statement to police about a missing child.

Caylee's mother, Casey Anthony, was acquitted last year of murdering her daughter but convicted on four counts of lying to investigators.

Caylee wasn't reported missing until 31 days after she vanished in 2008 in Orlando.

Casey Anthony completed her four-year maximum sentence while awaiting trial on the murder charge.

She could have gotten up to 20 years in prison if the bill had been in effect at that time.

[bobnjersey]

[The law increases the maximum penalty from a year in jail to five years in prison for knowingly making a false statement to police about a missing child ... She could have gotten up to 20 years in prison if the bill had been in effect at that time.]
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so ... because one person got off from getting convicted ... you should increase the penalty ... by a factor of five ... for anyone else who might, in the future, not tell the truth?

a perfect example of misuse of the legislative process to enact ridiculous laws that are simply emotional responses to singular events so you can look like you're tough on crime ... and use that for votes in your next election.

[ageofknowledge]

Just what we don't need. Locking people up in prison for years who haven't hurt anyone or taken anything from anyone.

1 in 31 adult Americans are in jail/prison or on probation/parole right now. We can't warehouse the entire nation because they won't talk to the police.

[AnnieDanny]

Won't talk is one thing. Lying is another. This bill is about making false statements, ie lies. It's a good move, IMO. It's just very unfortunate that Casey Anthony MADE it necessary to do this.