Kansas Lawmakers Propose Sextortion Bill After Teen's Tragic Death

Caleb's mother advocates for new legislation to increase penalties and raise awareness about online predators

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Kansas lawmakers are discussing a new bill that would increase penalties for sextortion, especially when the victim is a minor. The bill was inspired by the tragic death of 14-year-old Caleb, who took his own life after being blackmailed into sending explicit photos. Caleb's mother, Morgan Moore, is advocating for the bill, which would also provide more education about the dangers of sextortion for kids and parents.

Why it matters

Sextortion is a growing problem that has led to devastating consequences for many young victims. This legislation aims to crack down on these online predators and provide more resources to keep kids safe from these types of schemes.

The details

The proposed bill would increase penalties for sextortion, especially when the victim is under 18 and the offender is 18 or older. It would also define severity levels for sextortion cases, including when it leads to bodily harm or suicide. The bill would require the state attorney general's office to work with schools and law enforcement to spread awareness and education about sextortion.

  • In 2025, 14-year-old Caleb took his own life after being the victim of a sextortion scheme.
  • On February 6, 2026, Kansas lawmakers heard testimony from Caleb's mother, Morgan Moore, about the proposed sextortion bill.

The players

Morgan Moore

The mother of 14-year-old Caleb, who died by suicide in 2025 after being the victim of a sextortion scheme. She is advocating for the new Kansas bill to increase penalties and raise awareness about sextortion.

Caleb

A 14-year-old boy from El Dorado, Kansas who took his own life in 2025 after being blackmailed in a sextortion scheme.

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What they’re saying

“This is what sextortion does, it gains power through silence, speed and isolation. It convinces a child that there is no survivable outcome and no redeemable way out of the situation.”

— Morgan Moore, Caleb's mother (KWCH)

What’s next

If the proposed Kansas bill passes, it could be referred to as "Caleb's Law" in honor of the 14-year-old victim. Lawmakers in Washington D.C. are also considering a similar federal bill called the Combating Online Predators Act.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of sextortion on young victims and the urgent need for stronger laws and education to protect children from these online predators. The proposed Kansas legislation aims to crack down on sextortion and provide more resources to keep kids safe in the digital age.