In Washington, D.C., Congressman Mike Lawler reintroduced the Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act today to coincide with Child Abuse Prevention Month. The legislation is named in honor of two young victims, Paula Bohovesky from Rockland County and Joan D’Alessandro from Bergen County, New Jersey. The bill aims to modify the existing law to ensure that individuals who have murdered and sexually assaulted minors up to the age of 18 are not eligible for early release.
Joan D’Alessandro, a seven-year-old girl, was tragically murdered in 1973 after leaving her home to sell Girl Scout cookies. In 1998, in response, Congress introduced a law to prevent the early release of criminals who murdered a child under 14. Paula Bohovesky, who was 16 at the time of her death was murdered in Rockland County, New York. One of her murderers was granted parole in August 2021 due to Paula being 16 at her death. The proposed legislation seeks to close this gap in the law.
Congressman Lawler said, “The brutal murders of Joan D’Alessandro and Paula Bohovesky devastated Rockland County and the entire region,” and emphasized the importance of the bill in preventing families from experiencing the trauma of seeing a child’s murderer released. He added, “This legislation honors the memory of Joan and Paula and seeks to bring some measure of justice to families across the country.”
Vincent Vallelong, President of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, supported the bill, stating, “Unfortunately, a technicality in federal law prevents us from providing the full measure of justice to victims such as Paula Bohovesky and her family by ensuring that violent killers are kept in prison where they belong.”
Megan Noland, Executive Director of the Major County Sheriffs of America, expressed her organization’s support, asserting, “Law enforcement is united in safeguarding our communities by ensuring that those who commit brutal acts against children are held fully accountable.”
Theresa Roth, Executive Director of the New York State Children’s Alliance, said the act is a significant step forward, stating, “It is our moral duty to protect children and their families from dangerous offenders.”
Joan D’Alessandro’s mother, Rosemarie D’Alessandro, stressed the urgency of passing the law, noting, “This bill will extend justice to all minors under 18, including those at a particularly vulnerable age.”
The bill draws attention to the ongoing need for legislative updates to protect minors and ensure justice is served.
