Several parents in Michigan are urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would require schools to educate students and families about the dangers of online sextortion, following the deaths of multiple teenagers.
During a hearing before the Michigan House Government Operations Committee in Lansing, Michigan on March 12, parents shared personal stories while advocating for House Bill 4848, which would mandate schools to provide information and resources about sextortion.
Mother recounts loss of 14-year-old son
Emily Sluiter told lawmakers about her son Henry Sluiter, who died by suicide in August 2024 at age 14 after becoming the victim of sextortion.
Sluiter said she learned about Henry making his freshman soccer team while she was at the hospital discussing organ donation, knowing his life was nearing its end.
Investigators later told the family that a teenager had created a fake social media account posing as a young woman and attempted to obtain explicit photos from several youths. After Henry sent an image, the person allegedly threatened to expose it publicly.
Understanding sextortion
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children defines sextortion involving minors as a form of exploitation in which offenders threaten to release private images unless the victim provides additional sexual content, money or other demands.
According to the organization, nearly 100 financial sextortion reports per day were received in 2024. Since 2021, the group is aware of more than three dozen teenage boys who died by suicide after being targeted.
Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicates roughly 12,600 sextortion cases involving minors were reported nationwide between 2021 and 2023, with at least 20 ending in suicide.
Proposed education requirement
The bill’s sponsor, John Fitzgerald, a state representative from Wyoming, Michigan, said the legislation aims to ensure students and families are better informed about the crime and know where to seek help.
If passed, the measure would require the Michigan Department of Education and school districts to provide annual information sessions using materials from organizations such as the FBI or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Part of broader legislation
The proposal is the final component of Jordan D’s Law, which was signed by Gretchen Whitmer in early 2025. Earlier measures increased criminal penalties for sextortion involving minors, allowing for sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
The law is named after Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old from Marquette, Michigan who died by suicide in 2022 after being targeted online.
Another parent, Stephanie Rodriguez‑Torres, told lawmakers her 13-year-old son Deyani Rodriguez‑Torres also died after experiencing sextortion. She said greater awareness could help prevent similar tragedies.
Advocates stress importance of awareness
Parents and supporters say education is critical in a digital world where children frequently interact online.
“Parents alone cannot protect their children from every online threat,” Sluiter told lawmakers. “Schools must also help teach students how to navigate the dangers of social media.”
Supporters of the bill include organizations such as the Michigan Catholic Conference, the Michigan High School Athletic Association and the Michigan Sheriff’s Association.
Law enforcement officials encouraged young people who experience sextortion to immediately reach out to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or police officer.