Prince McCree Act signed; WI Amber Alert System gaps addressed

MILWAUKEE - A new Wisconsin law means you will be receiving more emergency alerts for missing children. The law is named after the Milwaukee 5-year-old boy who was missing and later found dead in a dumpster. 

Prince McCree never got to attend his kindergarten graduation. But his mom and dad went to Milwaukee's Hawley Environmental School on Tuesday, April 9, to honor him. 

"He was always the life of the party. He’s an amazing kid. I’m just so mad that his life was taken from him, his life was taken from us," said Darron McCree, Prince's dad. "Prince, he loved everybody, and everybody loved Prince. He was always happy. He was a firework. And he was awesome."

Prince's family reported him missing on Oct. 25, 2023. Milwaukee police requested an Amber Alert, but the state did not issue it – deciding the case did not meet the criteria. A day later, police found Prince's body in a dumpster. 

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"Families should know that authorities are using every resource at their disposal to bring their child home," said Gov. Tony Evers (D-Wisconsin).

On Tuesday, Gov. Evers signed a bipartisan bill named after Prince. The new law will allow emergency alerts for missing children like Prince – those who do not meet the stricter criteria for an Amber Alert. It would go out for them if they cannot return home without help or if the child is younger than 10. 

"Sad, but happy. Sad, it’s not bringing my baby back; but happy knowing that this is out there now. And all these other kids are going to get help," said Jordan Barger, Prince's mom. "Hopefully you know his name out here gets known as a hero for all these other kids, because, no other kid out here, should have to meet criteria like this and have to wait so long just for them to get looked for."

"It’s like goosebumps. It’s a moment that you never wish for, but it’s a moment that’s needed to help with everyone," said Darron McCree. "It’s world changing. Any child that could be saved, should be saved. And the least amount of time it takes possible."

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It was a theme reflected in the bill signing ceremony – when Prince's schoolmate read a poem called "Bring Them Home." 

The poem reads as follows: 

Tiny hands, they reach so high,
Like butterflies that kiss the sky.
A laugh so sweet, a smile so bright,
A precious child, a guiding light.
But the world is wide, and shadows creep,
Where little ones may wander deep.
A lost one's cry, a heart held tight,
We yearn for them, with all our might.
To keep all children safe and kind.
Held close when tears begin to fall,
Love's gentle touch to comfort all.
With watchful eyes and open doors,
For every child, a safe return,
So let us raise our voice today,
To bring them home, where they belong,
In family's arms, forever strong.

Wisconsin data reveals on a given day, an average of seven Wisconsin children are reported missing. That is a couple thousand a year. Most do not get an Amber Alert. Since 2003, the state has only issued 61. This new law will mean a lot more alerts. 

As far as what to call it, Sen. LaTonya Johnson, who lived just five doors from Prince, said she hopes the state will call it the "Purple Alert." That would pay tribute to Prince and Lily Peters, a 10-year-old Chippewa Falls girl who was missing in 2022 – and later found dead. Both children served as inspiration for the new law.

Implementing the law

The Wisconsin Department of Justice says it is ready to implement the new law. 

"DOJ personnel have been working on the new missing child advisory throughout this process and will continue to work with the authors of the new law on naming and implementation. Alerts also rely on partners and stakeholders, and they will also be involved in the process," a state DOJ spokesperson told FOX6. "The new alert will be given a unique name to avoid confusion, however, with this new law in place, the Department of Justice is currently prepared to help any child missing in Wisconsin."

Reaction

Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr. and Alderman Khalif Rainey

"Today Governor Tony Evers signed the PRINCE (Protection and Recovery Involving Non-located Children Endangered) Act into law. The new law aims to address the gaps that exist in the Wisconsin Amber Alert System by expanding the criteria for issuing alerts for missing children.

"We want to thank the primary sponsors of the state legislation, Senators LaTonya Johnson and Jesse James, for their work and diligence in getting the PRINCE Act across the finish line.

"What happened to Prince McCree last year was a tragedy, and in the future we believe these new alerts have the potential to save lives when children are reported missing. The new system will allow an alert to be sent out if a child is under the age of 10, or for children up to the age of 18 if they are unable to return home due to a physical or mental condition or disability.

"Earlier this year the city went on record in support of this legislation, and we are grateful that this was passed so quickly in the name of protecting our young people.

"We continue to keep Prince’s loved ones in our prayers, and we again offer our sincere condolences to the family."