Angel Mom Slams Sanctuary Law After Daughter's Alleged Killer Walked Free

Jennifer Bos criticizes the system that allowed her daughter's accused murderer to be released despite charges.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a discarded garbage can lid, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the grim discovery of a victim's remains and the investigation into a violent crime.The discovery of a victim's remains in a garbage can exposes the human cost of sanctuary laws that allow accused killers to walk free.Waukegan Today

Jennifer Bos, whose daughter Megan was allegedly killed and hidden in a garbage can by an illegal immigrant, Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, has criticized the sanctuary law in Illinois that allowed Mendoza-Gonzalez to walk free after his court appearance despite the felony charges against him. Bos expressed outrage at the system that let her daughter's alleged killer go free.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over sanctuary laws and their impact on public safety, especially for victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. It also underscores the pain and frustration felt by 'angel families' who lose loved ones to alleged crimes by those in the country illegally.

The details

Megan Bos' decomposing body was found in Waukegan, Illinois in April 2025. Mendoza-Gonzalez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, is charged with multiple felonies related to her death, including abuse of a corpse, concealing a death, and obstructing justice. However, under Illinois' sanctuary law, these felonies are not considered detainable offenses, so Mendoza-Gonzalez was released after his court appearance.

  • Megan Bos' body was found in April 2025.
  • Mendoza-Gonzalez was arrested by ICE on July 19, 2025.

The players

Jennifer Bos

Megan Bos' mother, an 'angel mom' who has criticized the system that allowed her daughter's alleged killer to walk free.

Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez

An illegal immigrant from Mexico who is charged with multiple felonies related to Megan Bos' death, but was released due to Illinois' sanctuary law.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that arrested Mendoza-Gonzalez in July 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's absolutely insane. I can't even understand how they justified this and argued it in Congress to agree to have this happen.”

— Jennifer Bos, Megan Bos' mother

“After she was found, I spent a few months trying to get him [Mendoza-Gonzalez] arrested to no avail because it just wasn't possible in Illinois with those charges. And after ICE came and picked him up, it was shortly after that that I was contacted by the VOICE office.”

— Jennifer Bos, Megan Bos' mother

“When he was free, when I kind of was standing there — stunned — I did feel incredibly alone and it was such a comfort to have them call me and say, 'We're here for you. You tell us what you need, and we'll figure it out.' And that's what they did.”

— Jennifer Bos, Megan Bos' mother

What’s next

The investigation into Megan Bos' death remains ongoing as authorities continue to build their case against Mendoza-Gonzalez.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing debate over sanctuary laws and their impact on public safety, especially for victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. It underscores the pain and frustration felt by 'angel families' who lose loved ones to alleged crimes by those in the country illegally.