Disabled Children, Custodial Kidnapping Eligible For AMBER Alerts Under Bills

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/01/2025) Michigan State Police (MSP) would have the authority to issue an AMBER Alert if they believe a child is in danger even in the situation of a custodial kidnapping under Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) and Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia)’ HB 4517 and HB 4518.

Neyer and Rigas testified before the House Families and Veterans Committee this week, telling the story of a young boy named Rowan Morey, a resident of Rigas’ district, whose father, a constituent of Neyer’s district, didn’t return Rowan to his mother by the time prescribed by the courts under their custody agreement.

Rowan was missing for 52 hours, during which his mother, Brandy, tried to alert authorities, but since his absence was caused by a custodial kidnapping and not an abduction by a stranger, an AMBER Alert could not be issued.

When Rowan was found, his biological father had murdered him and then killed himself.

“What a tragic failure. And this is just the tip of the iceberg in the failures that occurred in this specific case,” Rigas said.

Under the Rowan Act, Rigas’ bill gives the MSP more discretion to issue AMBER Alerts, and Neyer’s bill allows Amber Alerts to be broadcast via social media.

If police's preliminary investigation finds a missing child in danger or a missing child has special needs, an AMBER alert can be issued, regardless of whether a kidnapping is involved.

“(Rowan) was a really bright, happy little guy. He golfed with us, and he couldn’t wait to start his flag football season because he was going to be the best, he said,” said his mother, Brandy Murray Pols.

Pols said in the 52 hours that her son was missing, she was told on several occasions that it’s almost impossible to get an AMBER alert. She resorted to reaching out to the local news, and as they were on the way to interview her, she found out that her son had been a victim of filicide, which is when a parent kills their own child.

“Do you realize it’s the most researched word for the loss of a child? But it’s the biggest epidemic sweeping our nation,” Pols said. “The one thing that’s made me feel so much better in this fight is hearing from (Rigas) at the last committee, telling me I was the only one who didn’t fail him, even though it still feels like I did.”

Rowan was murdered in 2024. His stepfather, Brian Pols, said he stood face to face with an Isabella County Sheriff and told him that he was in fear for a murder-suicide, only to find out what he said came true.

“I do have one comfort with Rowan, that he loved his mom and dad unconditionally. He never thought his dad would hurt him. He was an amazing kid. Kids love unconditionally. They love their parents. And knowing that a parent can do that to a child . . .” Pols said.

Victoria Jones, a woman whose 2-year-old autistic son didn’t have an AMBER Alert issued for him when he wandered off, also testified on the bills. She said in Oct. 2023, her son’s father called her to tell her a babysitter had left the door unlocked and gotten in the shower, and her son, Jermaine, wandered off.

“By the time I had driven three hours from my home in northern Michigan to my son’s father’s house in Augusta, the country roads were lined with vehicles. People walking, searching. You would have thought it was like a parade. There were so many cars around the roads. I had strangers walking up to me, showing me pictures of my own son, asking if I had seen him because they were just trying to spread the word,” Jones said. “That was the longest night of my life. I can still hear helicopters in the back of my brain.”

Jermaine’s body was found in the Looking Glass River on Oct. 10. Jones said multiple people later said they saw him walking down the street, but since he didn’t meet the criteria for an AMBER Alert, they didn’t know to look out for him.

“I lost a huge part of myself. I felt a pain I didn’t know was possible. My son drowned, and for the last 659 days, I felt like I’ve been drowning above water,” Jones said. “These children are arguably the most vulnerable part of our population, and they deserve nothing but the highest level of protection.”