GLASGOW, Ky. — After their 16-year-old son died by suicide, a Kentucky family is pushing for stronger sextortion laws to protect other teens from similar harm.
His parents discovered what Heacock had been going through after it was too late. They’re sharing his story in hopes it can save others from the heartbreak they’re now experiencing.
“The calendar says it was about a month ago, but it wasn’t. I closed my son’s coffin yesterday, and it’s going to happen to a lot of other people if we don’t talk, so we are doing everything we can,” John Burnett, Heacock’s father, said.
His parents said a perpetrator threatened him, saying he needed to send $3,000 or they would release sexually explicit images of him.
His parents told Spectrum News 1 that Heacock sent $50, but did not have enough to cover the rest. Elijah’s mother, Shannon Heacock, wants any victims to know it’s okay to come forward.
“Remember, your life is more than $50 to someone that doesn’t even care,” Shannon said.
They’ve talked with Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, about Elijah’s story. While he’s not a co-sponsor, Guthrie has voiced support for the Take It Down Act. It passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce this week, which is Guthrie chairs.
The act would criminalize publishing non-consensual sexual images, including ones generated by artificial intelligence. It would also require social media platforms and websites to remove the images within 48 hours of receiving notice from the victim. It now heads to the full U.S. House for consideration.
“It’s real important. I talked to his mom and dad. I’ve been legislating for a while. When people have something bad happen to their family, they say how can we prevent it? A lot of people say it’s not going to bring my loved one back, but it can keep someone from going through the kind of pain I’m going through,” Guthrie said.
In the Commonwealth, state lawmakers passed a bill that establishes sexual extortion as a felony, and mandates training about the topic at schools and law enforcement agencies. Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, signed it into law.
Elijah’s parents said they are happy there has been progress in addressing this issue at the state and federal level, but they said more needs to be done.
“This is movement, but this is by far not over with,” Burnett said.
They described Elijah as a loving son, twin, sibling and friend. Elijah’s parents said he had a heart of gold and had a bright future ahead of him. They want more people to be aware this is a real and growing problem, and will continue to be a voice in hopes it can make a real difference.
