Garnett Spears was a 5-year-old boy who died in 2014 after his mother, who had prior CPS history in multiple states, got a “fresh start” when she moved. This deadly loophole still exists today.
When families move interstate, serious CPS reports, substantiated abuse findings, and active investigations often disappear — allowing abusers to evade detection.
Garnett’s Law calls for a secure National CPS Safety Database so that critical child safety information is shared between states, while protecting the privacy and due process rights of innocent families.
By joining this Email Campaign you will:
- Send a direct message to lawmakers in Alabama, Florida, New York, and federal leaders.
- Help push for real reform starting in the states most connected to Garnett’s story
- Support the original Change.org petition: https://www.change.org/p/garnett-s-law-national-cps-safety-database-no-more-fresh-starts-for-abusers
No more children should lose their lives because critical safety information was lost when crossing state lines. Take action now — sign the petition and email your lawmakers.
Update – Important Note on Timing
Some key senators involved in child welfare issues (including Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama) will not be returning to the Senate next year. This means meaningful federal change will likely be a longer-term process.
We will continue reaching out to both current and new members of Congress, as well as the relevant committees, as we build momentum.