PHOENIX, Ariz. โ The governor of Arizona has signed a bill establishing an alert system for missing Native Americans within the state. This initiative, which received unanimous support from lawmakers, comes in the aftermath of the disappearance and subsequent death of a San Carlos Apache teenager.
Governor Katie Hobbsโ approval places Arizona among a growing number of states embracing similar alert systems, a trend that started in Washington state in 2022. Both Colorado and California, along with others, have implemented their distinctive versions. Recently, New Mexico introduced a โturquoise alert,โ while North Dakota adopted a โfeather alert.โ These alert systems are thoughtfully named to reflect items of spiritual and cultural importance to Native American communities.
Arizonaโs version of the alert, known as โturquoise alertโ legislation, is also called โEmilyโs Lawโ after Emily Pike. Pikeโs remains were found on February 14, over 100 miles from the group home she had left in Mesa, Arizona, in late January. Her untimely death has reignited efforts to highlight the disproportionate number of disappearances and violent deaths within Native American communities. This tragic event spurred legislative amendments to acknowledge her case specifically.
During a recent session at the state house, Rep. Teresa Martinez, the billโs sponsor, expressed her sorrow over Emilyโs case. โIt breaks my heart that we, the state of Arizona, didnโt even go looking for this little girl. No one looked for her,โ she stated. โWe cannot let children go missing without somebody being alerted.โ Martinez herself has personal ties, as her great-niece is part of the Gila River Indian Community.
In parallel, last year the Federal Communications Commission established a new national alert code designed to alert the community about cases of missing and endangered persons via TVs, radios, and mobile phones. This development aims particularly to benefit Native American, Alaska Native, and Black communities, which collectively represent approximately 40 percent of missing persons in the U.S., despite accounting for a much smaller segment of the population.
Different states have employed various alert schemes that concentrate on children, certain minority groups, individuals with disabilities, and seniors. In 2024, California initiated โebony alertsโ to raise awareness about missing Black youths. Proponents of this initiative have noted successes, though they also suggest that law enforcement could issue more alerts for qualifying cases.
Arizonaโs new legislation sets forth a quick response system primarily for individuals under 65 from federally recognized tribes when law enforcement deems them at risk or missing under unexplained or suspicious conditions.
Reflecting on the ongoing efforts, Pikeโs uncle, Allred Pike Jr., remarked, โLike my sister says, even though sheโs not here with us, sheโs still making a difference.โ It was revealed that Emilyโs mother, Steff Dosela, was only informed about her daughterโs disappearance from the group home a week after the fact. Consequently, Arizona Senate lawmakers are scrutinizing the regulations surrounding the Arizona Department of Child Servicesโ group homes.
Moreover, the FBI declared a $75,000 reward for information leading to the identification of those involved in Emily Pikeโs disappearance and murder. This reward supplements the $75,000 already pledged by the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Pikeโs remains were discovered by Gila County sheriffโs deputies on state land adjacent to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.