Ep. 323 Brandi Morey-Pols
The Rowan Act: How Brandi Morey-Pols is Modernizing Amber Alert Laws to Protect Children from Parental Abduction and Systemic Failure
Brandi Morey-Pols is a mother on a mission to ensure that no other family suffers the "51 hours of silence" she endured. In August 2024, her 6-year-old son, Rowan Morey, was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide after he was not returned from a scheduled visit. Despite Brandi’s desperate pleas to law enforcement and Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding red flags and the father's erratic behavior, she was repeatedly told her son's disappearance was a "civil matter" rather than a criminal abduction.
Brandi Morey-Pols
The trauma of that experience led Brandi to found The Rowan Project, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about filicide and advocating for systemic reform. She has become a powerful voice in the Michigan State Capitol, testifying before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Child Welfare to expose the gaping holes in the current CPS and family court systems. Her advocacy is centered on the belief that "parental kidnapping deserves just as much justice as any kidnapping," and that a mother's intuition should never be dismissed by a bureaucratic checklist.
At the heart of her work is "The Rowan Act" (House Bill 4518). This landmark legislation aims to modernize the Michigan Amber Alert system by granting law enforcement the discretion to issue alerts for missing children even if the situation doesn't meet the traditional definition of a stranger abduction. By including criteria for children with special needs and those in danger during custody disputes, the bill seeks to eliminate the "civil matter" excuse that prevented police from acting in Rowan's case until it was too late.
Rowan Morey
In this episode, Brandi joins host Jeanne Pepper for a raw and necessary conversation about the reality of filicide and the "broken" status of child welfare departments. They discuss the legislative hurdles Brandi has overcome, the bipartisan support for The Rowan Act, and the importance of holding CPS directors accountable for failures in background checks and investigation protocols. It is a story of a mother’s love evolving into a protective shield for all children in the state of Michigan.
This interview serves as both a tribute to Rowan—a boy who loved golf and had an infectious smile—and a call to action. Brandi explains how listeners can support lobbying efforts, become "Court Support Advocates," and help designate August 31st as Filicide Awareness Day. Her journey proves that while the system failed Rowan, his legacy is now the catalyst for a safer future for every child in danger.
Rowan and Brandi
Addendum: A Milestone for Rowan’s Legacy (July 2026)
Since the inception of this journey, the mission to honor Rowan’s memory through systemic change has remained the primary focus. Today, there is significant progress to share regarding the legislative efforts initiated to protect other children.
The Rowan Act Secured Final Approval: In July 2026, the Michigan legislature gave final approval to the "Rowan Act" (House Bills 4517 and 4518), a legislative package designed to modernize the state's Amber Alert system. The bills are now heading to Governor Whitmer’s desk to be signed into law.
Purpose of the Legislation: Named in memory of Rowan Milford Morey, this legislation addresses critical gaps in the law that previously hindered law enforcement’s ability to act when a child was missing but did not meet narrow abduction criteria. The new laws provide police with the flexibility to activate emergency responses when a child is believed to be in danger, and they expand the dissemination of these alerts through modern channels like social media.
A Continued Commitment: While this legislative victory is a crucial step forward, the work to prevent these tragedies continues. Brandi Morey-Pols remains dedicated to advocacy, working to ensure that the systemic failures seen in the past—including issues within Child Protective Services—are addressed through continued oversight and accountability.
This achievement serves as clear evidence of the power of community, persistence, and the refusal to be silenced in the face of tragedy. Thank you to everyone who has supported "The Rowan Project" and stood by this mission to ensure that no other family has to endure the heartbreak of the past. Together, we continue to keep keeping families and children safe.
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Episode 323
Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper
Guest: Brandi Morey-Pols
Producer: Eli Moskowitz
Executive Producer: Jeanne Pepper
Original Theme Music: Jay Bernstein
Special Thank You to our volunteers
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DISCLAIMER Jeanne Pepper is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Jeanne Pepper unless so stated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Ms. Pepper’s guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ms. Pepper. If you have any questions about this disclaimer or the content herein, please contact us at Producers@PepptalkswithJeanne.com #PeppTalkswithJeanne #JeannePepper #BlazeitForward
