Chelsea King was a 17-year-old Poway High School student who will always be remembered for her compassionate heart and positive spirit. On a sunny Thursday afternoon, February 25, 2010, Chelsea disappeared after setting out for a run in a San Diego community park. Law enforcement and thousands of volunteers searched for days, until they finally found her body in a shallow grave just off the trail she was running on, by Lake Hodges. Chelsea was the victim of a horrific crime committed by a convicted sex offender who later confessed and plead guilty to taking Chelsea’s life.
Championed by the King family and Chelsea’s Light Foundation, Chelsea’s Law was founded on the belief that violent sexual predators who go after children are a uniquely dangerous problem. Signed unanimously into law in September, 2010, the newly-enacted California legislation ensures that the state does everything it can to keep sex offenders who target children from engaging in even more atrocious crimes upon release, and that those who commit the worst violent sexual crimes against children are put away for life. All of California’s 9.3 million children are safer because of Chelsea’s Law.
In short, Chelsea’s Law increases penalties, parole provisions, and oversight for the worst of the worst sex offenders in society — the violent sexual predator that attacks children — and offers additional solutions.
