Wisconsin Launches 'Prince Act' to Expand Missing Child Alerts

17 alerts issued in first year of new law aimed at closing gaps in Amber Alert system

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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An 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to killing 5-year-old Prince McCree in Milwaukee, sparking statewide legislative changes. The 'Prince Act' expands missing child alerts to include all children under 18 with disabilities and all children 10 and younger, sending notifications to phones within 5 miles. In the first year, 17 missing child alerts were issued under the new law.

Why it matters

Prince's disappearance and death exposed critical flaws in Wisconsin's Amber Alert system, which failed to issue an alert because no suspect description was available. The 'Prince Act' aims to ensure no child slips through the cracks by lowering the criteria for issuing alerts and reaching more people in the community.

The details

The 'Prince Act' was introduced by State Senator LaTonya Johnson, who lived just five houses down from Prince and witnessed the family's frustration when an Amber Alert was not issued. The new law requires alerts for any child under 18 with a disability or 10 and younger, sending notifications to phones within a 5-mile radius. In its first year, the state's Department of Justice says 17 missing child alerts were issued under the 'Prince Act'.

  • In 2023, 5-year-old Prince McCree was found dead in a dumpster one day after being reported missing.
  • In 2024, State Senator LaTonya Johnson introduced the 'Prince Act' bill to address gaps in the Amber Alert system.
  • On Monday, February 16, 2026, an 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to killing Prince McCree.

The players

Prince McCree

A 5-year-old boy who was killed in Milwaukee in 2023, sparking the creation of the 'Prince Act'.

State Senator LaTonya Johnson

A Milwaukee legislator who lived near Prince McCree and introduced the 'Prince Act' bill in 2024 to expand missing child alerts.

Stephanie van Iersel

A Milwaukee mother who lives in Prince McCree's neighborhood and supports the 'Prince Act' to help communities find missing children.

Wisconsin Department of Justice

The state agency that issued 17 missing child alerts in the first year of the 'Prince Act'.

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What they’re saying

“Whenever you're favoring the interest of the child and safety, we have to go in that direction.”

— Stephanie van Iersel, Milwaukee mother (tmj4.com)

“I saw the frustration from his family when they were waiting for an Amber Alert to be issued, and one never came.”

— State Senator LaTonya Johnson (tmj4.com)

“I want this missing child alert to apply to as many children as possible.”

— State Senator LaTonya Johnson (tmj4.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the 18-year-old suspect out on bail.

The takeaway

The 'Prince Act' represents a significant step forward in protecting vulnerable children in Wisconsin, closing critical gaps in the state's missing child alert system and ensuring more families and communities are quickly notified when a child goes missing.