The parents of Chelsea King are speaking out to push for tougher laws against violent sexual predators. Brent and Kelly King said they want to change laws so other parents don’t have to go through what they’re going through.
Their daughter, Chelsea King disappeared while jogging at Rancho Bernardo Community Park. Her body was found near Lake Hodges five days after she went missing. A registered sex offender is charged with raping and killing her.
The Kings said if the laws had been smarter and bolder, Chelsea might still be alive.
“If our elected officials -- Republicans, Democrats, assemblymen and congressmen, judges and governors -- made decisions based on how that decision would affect their own daughter or their own son, there would be swift and decisive reform for all of our children, now,” said Brent King.
Kelly King said she made a promise when Chelsea was born, to love and care for her all of the days of her life. Now, she said she's adding to that promise. "I promise to do all I can to protect other daughters and other mothers from this incomprehensible nightmare I’m walking through. I can’t do this alone. I need every parent, every lawmaker, every citizen to stand with me.”
The Kings are working with Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher to develop Chelsea’s Law. Fletcher says the proposed legislation could include a “one strike” provision, parole reform and better GPS tracking of registered sex offenders.
Chelsea’s Light Foundation and Assemblyman Fletcher will host the Chelsea’s Law Forum at 6:30 p.m. on March 30 at Maranatha Chapel in Rancho Bernardo. The Chelsea’s Law Forum will offer the community at large an opportunity to learn about the existing sex offender laws and to give individual input on what can be done to protect children.
