NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Gov. Bill Lee signed a new bill into law that makes it a felony to encourage someone to take their own life.
I first told viewers about a family’s fight to make this a reality in March.
The measure is named after Grace Anne Sparks.
She died in 2019 after a man she met online coerced her into playing a deadly game.
He only served two years in prison because coercive suicide was not a crime in Tennessee.
Now, anyone convicted of the crime faces up to 12 years behind bars.
Grace Anne’s family said sharing their pain was worth it to protect others.
“If this crime is perpetuated again, the penalty is steeper. There's a deterrent. It's got a bite now, and that is because of what happened to Grace Anne,” said Grace Anne’s mother, Candi Sparks. “And so when another Mama is facing this, Grace Anne's Law will make sure that a punishment is given.”
Lawmakers unanimously passed the bill before it went to the governor’s desk.
September 11, 2001 is a day most associate with terror and tragedy. Austin Pollack shares a story from that day about hope and persistence: the effort to save a little girl’s life – with an organ donation. The problem? The young patient was in Houston, and her life-saving liver here in Nashville. With the grounding of all civilian aircraft, how could it be done? “Nobody ever said this isn’t possible.”
- Rhori Johnston
