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I stand in full support of Chris Felder’s candidacy for Florida State Representative because his mission is grounded in the same foundational principles that guide my own advocacy:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to you today not only as a concerned citizen, but as someone who has spent a lifetime advocating for the protection of children, the preservation of justice, and the safeguarding of rights that are too often eroded by political convenience and systemic neglect.

The tragic case of five-year-old Missy is not an isolated incident — it is a direct consequence of legal loopholes and judicial immunity that have allowed children to fall through the cracks. In Missy’s case, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and law enforcement knew her stepfather was a convicted predator. They knew he had already been caught attempting to meet a child. Yet, instead of being incarcerated while awaiting sentencing, he was allowed to walk free. Weeks later, Missy was gone.

Florida Statute 39.205 makes failure to report child abuse a third-degree felony — but it exempts judges from criminal prosecution when such information is received in the course of their official duties. This immunity has created a shield for inaction, even when the lives of children are at stake.

In Missy’s case, the failure was not due to a lack of knowledge about the predator’s danger — it was enabled by a structural flaw in Florida law. Under Florida’s system, judges retain broad discretion to release a convicted defendant while awaiting sentencing, unless a statute specifically mandates immediate custody. In this instance, despite knowing he was a convicted predator and a proven danger, the judge allowed him to remain free. This decision was further shielded by Florida Statute 39.205, which makes failure to report child abuse a third-degree felony for most people but explicitly exempts judges from criminal prosecution if the information was received in the course of their official duties. This pairing of discretionary release power and statutory judicial immunity created a legal environment in which a known predator could walk free — and a child’s life was placed in jeopardy without any legal consequence for the decision-maker.

Chris Felder has taken an unequivocal stand against this injustice. He is working to:

  • Remove judicial immunity when judges fail to report abuse
  • Clarify vague statutes that enable inaction
  • Ensure no agency can neglect its duty to protect a child without consequence

I stand in full support of Chris Felder’s candidacy for Florida State Representative because his mission is grounded in the same foundational principles that guide my own advocacy:

  • Constitutional Law: The people’s rights — especially the most vulnerable among us — must be protected against abuse of power and systemic failure.
  • International Law: Our responsibilities to uphold human dignity do not stop at our borders; the treatment of our own citizens, especially children, should reflect the standards we expect from the world.
  • Maritime Law: Rooted in the principle of Do No Harm, it remains one of the oldest and most consistent forms of justice, governing fairness and accountability in a way that transcends politics.

My support for Chris Felder is not about personal gain — it is about ensuring that the laws of Florida protect its citizens with the same unshakable clarity that constitutional and maritime principles demand. I believe leaders should be measured by their courage to act when it is hardest to do so, and Chris has shown both the vision and the resolve to reform a system that has been failing our children for far too long.

I urge you — as a legislator, a policymaker, or a voter — to give this matter the full weight of your attention. Children like Missy should have been protected. No legal technicality should ever stand in the way of saving a child’s life. Together, with leaders like Chris Felder in office, we can make sure this never happens again.

You can take action today:

  1. Download Chris Felder’s letter → https://link.tr.ee/realchrisfelder#Sarascota
  2. Find your state senator & rep (Google it)
  3. Email, mail, or hand-deliver the letter — and demand that judicial immunity be stripped away where it shields negligence and allows harm.

With respect and unwavering commitment to justice,

Samantha Syrnich TLC
Advocate, Artist, and Survivor