Michael and Denise Shepard of Dayton have urged legislators to enhance penalties for those who kidnap children. They are the parents of Kathlynn Shepard, who was kidnapped and murdered May 20, 2013 after getting off a school bus. I support this legislation in the hope to help prevent similar crimes from occurring in the future.

Kathlynn’s parents urged lawmakers to increase penalties and oversight for sex offenders who attack children. The proposed legislation has survived the first funnel. The bill adds kidnapping of a person 16 or younger to the definition of 2nd degree kidnapping. This would make the crime a class “B” felony. The bill also makes a second count of 3rd degree kidnapping a class “B” felony.

The heart of the Shepard case, though, deals with the fact Michael Klunder, who was considered the suspect in the case, had been released early from prison after serving time in a different kidnapping case. Klunder was sentenced to 41 years in prison for an unrelated kidnapping case.

You May Also Like

Iowa State Representative Curt Hanson Dead at 73

Iowa State Representative Curt Hanson (D-Fairfield), a member of the Iowa House since 2009, died at home on Friday. He was 73.

Promises Kept This Legislative Session

State Representative Steven Holt (R-Denison): Promises were kept as we worked to advance freedom and opportunity for Iowans, based on our founding values.

VanDerWerff Launches Independent Iowa House Bid After Losing Primary

Jeff VanDerWerff is running in Iowa House District 4 as an independent against Skyler Wheeler after coming in last in the district’s Republican primary.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act Advances in Iowa Senate

Iowa’s version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) survived the first funnel week of the 2018 legislative session. SSB 3171, sponsored by State Senator Julian Garrett (R-Indianola) was passed out of the Iowa Senate Local Government Committee by a 7 to 4 vote.