With all due respect, and hopefully I don't make anyone mad by saying this, but there are pieces of Ethan's Law that concern me. I know that the intentions are good, and I agree that someone who has abandoned their child should have supervised visits if they initiate contact after a length of time, but even this could be used in harmful ways. For example, what about a soldier serving overseas? If the wife leaves, can she then say he "abandoned" the child? Would a vindictive ex be able to move, not provide address and still claim the other parent "abandoned" the child? Having been a single parent, I can see too many ways here that a spiteful ex could use this law to the detriment of the children involved.
I agree that we need to have something good come out of this situation, and I feel deeply troubled to think about what Joe and his family are going through, but I would hate to see innocent people hurt by a law passed when emotions are high.
On that note, please don't throw things at me. This is just MOO.