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Calls for Amber Alert Changes After Fetus Abduction

By AP/KWMU

Jefferson City, Mo. – A Missouri congressman says the system that alerts the public about abductions should change, after a pregnant Skidmore woman was killed last week and her baby taken.

The infant was later recovered unharmed. But Nodaway County Sheriff Ben Espey expressed frustration that it took nine hours for a statewide Amber Alert to be issued.

Congressman Sam Graves plans to offer federal legislation to allow alerts to be issued sooner for a newborn baby, even if there's no detailed description.

Missouri's system was established in 2003. The Highway Patrol criteria for issuing an alert say there must be an abduction, a threat of harm to the victim and enough details to make it useful to inform the public.

Public safety officials are reviewing the system, but say a legal change is unnecessary.

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