New Florida Law Aims to Protect Children by Denying Bond for High-Risk Sex Offenders

House Bill 445 is named after 5-year-old Missy Mogle, who was allegedly killed by her stepfather, a sex offender free on bond pending sentencing.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (L) speaks about immigration enforcement operations in the state at a press conference at Baker Correctional Institution, now known as Deportation Depot, in Sanderson, Fla., on Jan. 5, 2026. Natasha Holt for The Epoch Times

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a pair of bills Tuesday aimed at strengthening protections for children and requiring judges to hold without bond individuals convicted of certain dangerous crimes.

House Bill 445, dubbed Missy’s Law, is named after 5-year-old Missy Mogle, who was allegedly killed by her convicted sex offender stepfather, Daniel Spencer, while he was free on bond pending sentencing for his charge of traveling to engage in sexual conduct with a child.