“Jonathan’s Law” Named after Jonathan Sheasby Signed by Ohio Governor Taft … Aide for Missing Adults
Ohio Governor, Bob Taft, signed House Bill 571 otherwise known as “Jonathan’s Law” named after Jonathan Sheasby. Jonathan Sheasby was missing for 83 days before his body was recovered. Jonathan’s mother made a promise at his funeral.
Sally Sheasby made a promise to her son at his funeral.
She told Jonathan she would do whatever she could to help others who know the pain of having a loved one go missing.
The newly signed law will aid in the help provided for missing adults.
The law generally requires improved police response to reports of missing adults and the prompt entering of missing-person reports into a national police computer system.
Jonathan Sheasby was missing for 83 days before the body of the murdered Mount Vernon man was found in some Knox County woods last spring.
- The law, effective April 4, requires police to enter information about missing persons in a national police database within seven days if foul play is suspected.
- In cases where foul play is not suspected, the information must be entered within 30 days.
- The law also improves police missing-persons training and requires coroners to provide DNA samples from unidentified bodies to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. (Columbus Dispatch)