TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Attorney General James Usmier proposed new law Tuesday that would prevent sex offenders from being robbed of their bonds while they were convicted and awaiting their sentence.
“Missy’s Law” is named after a five-year-old Tallahassee girl who investigators said she was “brutally murdered” by her stepfather, Daniel Spencer.
Ronnie Walker found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old girl in Tampa
At the time of her arrest in February 2024, Spencer was under investigation for sexually abusing her stepdaughter, Missy. But nothing happened from that investigation.
The ju judge discovered Spencer, who had committed a trip to meet Miner in April 2025, but after the verdict Usmeier said the judge denied the local state attorney’s request to cancel Spencer’s bond.
“Missy died when Judge Baker didn’t put Spencer behind the place he belonged to,” Usmeyer said in a statement Tuesday.
According to a Tallahassee Democrat report, the judge cited Spencer’s lack of a violent criminal history as part of why he decided to maintain his bond while he was ongoing. It is unclear whether the judge knew of the previous allegations that Spencer had abused his stepdaughter.
The first responder discovered Missy was unconscious at her home about a month later on May 19th and rushed her to the hospital. Investigators said they found clear signs of abuse that led to the death of the five-year-old.
The photograph obtained by the detective depicts Missy tied to her legs and ankles with a pillow on her face. Another photo showed her tightly wrapped around her face, wearing a mask and earmuffs in her ears, according to the Attorney General’s office.
Investigators also said they found the video in hours of footage showing Spencer attacking Missy, pulling his arm violently, pushing his face into the bed, tying his legs and hands together, and covering his face with a pillow and a comforter.
Spencer and Missy’s mother were subsequently charged with second-degree murder. However, the case is ongoing.
According to the Attorney General, Missy’s law prevents the judge from using discretion in cases like Spencer by requesting immediate revocation of bail after the ju judge finds the defendant guilty. This could apply to other violent offenders as well as sex offenders.
“Abuse of Judge Baker’s discretion should be approved,” Usmeyer said. “We cannot allow these evil acts to happen again. I look forward to working with the Florida Legislature to pass Missy’s laws for the next session.”
