Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier introduced a legislative proposal named Missy’s Law. The proposed law aims to restrict judicial discretion in granting bail to individuals convicted of violent crimes, including sexual offenses. This initiative follows the tragic murder of five-year-old Missy Mogle by her stepfather, Daniel Spencer.
Spencer was found guilty on charges related to traveling to meet a minor in April 2025. Despite his conviction and ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual abuse against his stepdaughter Missy, Judge Tiffany Baker allowed him to remain free on bond. This decision went against the recommendations of the local state attorney and preceded Missy’s murder on May 19th, 2025.
“Missy died because Judge Baker didn’t put Spencer behind bars where he belonged,” stated Attorney General Uthmeier. He emphasized that “Judge Baker’s abuse of discretion should be sanctioned” and expressed his intent to collaborate with the Florida Legislature for the enactment of Missy’s Law in the next session.
The details surrounding Spencer’s case are harrowing. In February 2024, he was arrested for attempting to meet a minor and was later convicted by a jury in April 2025, classifying him as a sexual offender under Florida law. Despite this classification, Judge Baker did not revoke his bond after his guilty verdict.
The evidence presented reveals disturbing instances of abuse inflicted upon Missy by Spencer while he was out on bond. Photographs showed her bound and covered with a pillow over her face, while videos captured various forms of physical abuse perpetrated by Spencer.
Missy’s Law seeks to mandate immediate bail revocation following a guilty verdict in similar cases, aiming to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
