Troy Rep. Proposes Bill To Protect Vulnerable Adults From Online Predators

TROY, MI — State Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) proposed legislation that would make it a crime for internet predators to target vulnerable adults, according to a news release.

The legislation, also known as the "Justice for Allie," a package named after Allie Hayes, a young woman from Troy with Down Syndrome who was taken advantage of by an online predator.

In 2017, a man contacted Allie online and manipulated her into sending him explicit photos of herself.

Allie’s parents, Dawn and Mark Hayes, attempted to press charges, but found out they couldn't because Allie, who was then 18, was legally a consenting adult.

"I was immediately filled with anger and disbelief," Mark Hayes told WXYZ. "We just had to figure out a way to fix it and make it better."

The man was convicted of using a computer for immoral purposes, but only spent six days in the Oakland County Jail.

Since then, the Hayes family has pushed for a law to protect all vulnerable adults, including those who have dementia or other cognitive disabilities. Not only are they seeking justice for their daughter, but also looking to prevent other vulnerable adults from being exploited in this way again.

MacDonell argued in the Families, Children, and Seniors Committee Tuesday that the "Justice for Allie" package would close the existing loophole in Michigan's law to protect vulnerable adults from being sexually exploited online.

"What happened to Allie was heinous. We must do something to protect vulnerable adults from being taken advantage of," MacDonell said. "This legislation will do that. While previous versions of this bill did not make it to the floor, they always earned broad bipartisan support in the legislature when introduced. I am confident that this version of Justice for Allie will report out of committee, be approved by the legislature, and be signed into law."