LANSING, Mich. (July 30, 2025) — Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) introduced Senate Bill 492 yesterday to ensure a student transferring from one school is not disenrolled until the records are accepted by the new school, closing a critical gap that could lead to children being unaccounted for in the system.
This legislation is in response to a harrowing case of child neglect in Pontiac, in which three children were abandoned by their mother for years, surviving on their own in deplorable conditions.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff, the children’s school records were last tracked years ago during an intent to transfer them to another school, but their new enrollment was never confirmed. The original school removed them from its enrollment list, and they slipped through the cracks of the education system as no district had the responsibility to follow up on their welfare.
Senate Bill 492 would clarify the process and timeline for transferring student records to tighten the oversight and ensure students are followed through the entire process.
“This heartbreaking case in Pontiac led to so many in our community asking, how could these children just seemingly disappear for so long? My responsibility as a lawmaker is to protect any other child from suffering through severe neglect like this,” Sen. Moss said. “Together with our Sheriff, we have found a solution. Our legislation will update the school transfer process to ensure that no students are unaccounted for or left behind.”
Rep. Brenda Carter partnered in developing this legislation. “This bill is not the beginning of my work — it is the continuation of it,” said Rep. Carter (D-Pontiac). “As a mother, a resident of Pontiac, and someone who has long fought for our most vulnerable children, I have already introduced legislation to address the breakdowns in our child welfare and education systems. This measure builds on that foundation and aims to ensure no child falls through the cracks simply because a records transfer fails. I look forward to working with Sen. Moss, stakeholders, and child advocates to ensure swift passage and further reforms.”
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, whose office investigated the child neglect case, backed the legislation.
“I appreciate Sen. Moss’s fast response to our request for legislation to help close a crack in the child safety system that allowed kids to fall off the radar and be unattended in a terrible situation for years,” said Sheriff Bouchard. “I hope for quick enactment as we head into another school year.”
This bill was sent to the Senate Committee on Education where it awaits further consideration.