Ohio lawmakers introduce 'Braden's Law' in honor of Olentangy teen who was victim of sextortion scam

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill that will increase penalties forBraden Markus was like any average teenager. He enjoyed time on the field, studied for his driver’s test and played Xbox with his cousins.

“Essentially, somebody came into our house and, in my eyes, murdered my kid in front of the whole world,” his mother, Jennifer Markus, said. “They should have to pay some time and pay the crime.” Between October 2021 and March 2023, the FBI and Homeland Security received more than 13,000 reports of financial sextortion of minors involving at least 12,600 victims. Most of the victims were boys, and these cases of sextortion led to at least 20 people dying by suicide.

Braden’s Law would also mandate that companies give parents of deceased minors digital access within 30 days of their children’s deaths. This measure is meant to prevent another family from experiencing what Braden’s parents did when he died. Braden should be graduating with his friends from Olentangy High School this May. Instead of a graduation ceremony, his friends and family and Ohio lawmakers will fill the high school’s football stadium on Thursday to announce Braden’s Law in honor of the boy whose life ended far too soon. “I hear from families and parents all over the state of Ohio of personal tragedies,” Brenner said.

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