Murder of Hailey Owens

Hailey Owens was a 10-year-old girl from Springfield, Missouri, who was abducted and murdered on February 18, 2014. The murder caught attention nationally and was discussed on Nancy Grace. Thousands of people attended a candlelight vigil for Hailey on February 23, 2014. A neighborhood park was later dedicated to her called Hailey's Playground. At about 5 p.m. on February 18, 2014, Hailey was walking home from a friend's house when a man in a truck pulled over, called to her and asked for directions and, as she approached him, grabbed her and threw her into his truck and sped away. Eyewitnesses were able to get the complete license plate number. The suspect in the murder is Craig Michael Wood. His trial is set to begin Sept. 26, 2016. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty. The family of Hailey Owens is trying to get a law passed named Hailey's Law. They hope the new law will help in future abduction cases by consolidating the systems in which an Amber Alert is issued, allowing an alert to be issued faster.