State Reps. Jerry Neyer and Angela Rigas on Wednesday announced their plan to modernize the Michigan Amber Alert System. House Bills 4517 and 4518 would modify the Amber Alert activation criteria and distribution processes to further enhance the safety and protection of Michigan children.

The introduction of the plan comes after a tragedy rocked Rigas’ and Neyer’s communities. Six-year-old Rowan Milford Morey was killed by his biological father in an apparent murder-suicide in Isabella County, Michigan, on August 21, 2024. Both were found dead from gunshot wounds in a camper. Rowan’s mother, Brandi Morey-Pols, who shared custody, pled with local police to do a welfare check on her son after the father did not return Rowan to her care on schedule. Limitations in state law did not allow for the early activation of emergency response systems, meaning when police finally did a welfare check, Rowan and his father were already dead.

“This is a positive and common-sense fix for a problem that should’ve been solved a long time ago,” said Rigas, R-Caledonia. “It’s important we hold Rowan Morey and his family close to our hearts and continue to ensure this will never happen again. Rowan’s life was cut short, but his legacy will live on through the lives that will be saved through swift action and resolve.”

Rigas’ bill – also known as The Rowan Act – empowers the Michigan State Police to activate the Amber Alert system when they believe a child is in danger. This change gives law enforcement the flexibility needed to respond swiftly in potentially life-threatening situations, putting safety above all else. Neyer’s bill modernizes the Amber Alert notification process by incorporating social media into broadcasts.

“The Amber Alert system in Michigan is almost 25 years old. Our technology – specifically the way we distribute information – has changed a lot since 2001,” said Neyer, R-Shepherd. “Updating the Amber Alert system by tapping into broadcast avenues like social media will help ensure that we can get information in front of people as quickly as possible. These efforts to expedite our rapid emergency response systems are critical to increasing the chances of a safe recovery in times of crisis.”

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