Congressmen Mark Foley paid a visit to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s department Wednesday where he briefed officers on details of new legislation aimed at protecting children from sexual predators.

Passage of the Adam Walch Child Protection and Safety Act in Congress last month coincided with the 25th anniversary of the day 6 year old Adam Walch went missing from a mall in Hollywood Florida. His severed head was found in a ditch near Vero Beach a few days later. Representative Foley told sheriff’s deputies the new law has the teeth to help prevent crimes like that from happening again – including continuous monitoring of individuals serving probation for child sexual violence.

“It’s ironic we put Martha stewart in a bracelet in her 20 million dollar home – and the worst that happened there is maybe one of her cakes fell – but we wanted to make an example of her so we monitored her presence and whereabouts 24-7 – yet we treat those who are sexual predators in a cavalier and casual way.”

Other provisions of the act include a 5 year felony conviction for violating probation and the mandatory registration of all child sex offenders within 72 hours of their release from prison. Foley also praised Charlotte County Law Enforcement for it’s proactive stance in tracking child sexual predators.