Father behind Gabby's Law helps victim leads effort to toughen human trafficking punishments

A father hopes a Channel 9 investigation will lead to changes to the state's human trafficking laws.

9 Investigates exposed two parents last month who were able to strike plea deals after drugging and selling their teen daughter for sex.

A man with a history of prompting change in Tallahassee reached out to help.

Donald Mair, the father behind Gabby's Law, which made getting to school safer for students in Florida by requiring sidewalks on the path to bus stops, found himself fighting a different kind of justice.

Makell Ware, 18, spoke to Channel 9 after her parents got plea deals for drugging and selling her for sex.

9 Investigates uncovered the parents received a combined six years in prison.

Makell never had the opportunity to give an impact statement in court or testify.

“Anyone else in a situation that I am, or was, (should) have any opportunity to state how they feel. They deserve it,” she said.

Mair saw Makell’s story and wanted to do something to help.

“We watched it and the look in her eyes as she described how she wanted help. I had to help,” he said.

And it’s help someone with his experience can provide.

Mair, now a law student, used his journey of fighting to keep children safe after his own daughter’s death, to draft the Makell Ware Child Protection Act, which would create harsher punishments in certain crimes against children.

“We don’t do enough to protect them from predators. There are wolves out there after our kids,” Mair said.

It took five years for a watered-down version of Gabby’s Law to get through Tallahassee, but Makell said she’s ready for the long haul.

“I never thought I’d actually be able to share my story and find my voice,” she said.

The draft is already getting some traction.

State Rep. Tom Leek is setting up a meeting with Mair to go over the proposal.

Several state law makers have received a copy and are reviewing it.

Cox Media Group