What is the Evan's Voice Act?

Missouri's Evan's Voice Act makes releasing a private sexual image of a minor or vulnerable person a Class C felony and threatening to do so a Class B felony.

The Evan's Voice Act is named in honor of Evan Boettler, a 16-year-old from Aurora, MO, who died by suicide on January 3, 2024. An account posing as a teenage girl convinced Evan to send an explicit photo of himself. As soon as he did, he was financially extorted by the online predators running that account.

Evan's parents, Brad and Kari, started a nonprofit organization, Evan's Voice, shortly after to raise awareness, support victims, and advocate for change.

Brad Boettler's statement on the Evan's Voice Act:

“Kari and I thank Senator Jill Carter for leading the Committee for Vulnerable Youth and Representatives Lewis, Whaley, Warwick, and Meyers for supporting the expedited passage of Evan's Voice Act.

The speed at which it, along with a number of additional statutes, moved and the level of support it received through the process is a demonstration of the support and value that the Missouri Legislature places on kids.

Evan's Voice Act increases the penalty for using images to threaten, coerce, or exploit a child or youth. It also gives investigators and police departments the tools to investigate and identify perpetrators. Our police departments need the tools; our kids and families need the protection. This helps to protect kids and families in Missouri.

His legacy is more than a bill. Evan loved people; he stood up for and championed other kids, and he continues to do that for kids across Missouri.”

What does sextortion look like?

• It usually starts somewhere ordinary like a video game, a DM, or a new friend request.
• The account looks like another teenager. Usually a girl around their age.
• It moves fast and often to another app. 
• They ask for a photo or video. The threats begin as soon as it's sent.
• Then they demand money, cryptocurrency, or additional explicit photos or videos.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received more than 50,000 reports of financially motivated sextortion in 2025. That's about 137 a day.

What can parents do?

Talk to your kids about social media sextortion. Speak openly about online dangers and remind them they can always come talk to you. Say something along the lines of: 

"There is nothing that you can't come talk to me about, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable it is. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation online, you are not in trouble and you’re not alone.” 

What if it's happening right now?

• Stop responding, and don't pay. Paying doesn't stop it and usually makes it worse.
• Screenshot everything. Delete nothing.
• Report it to NCMEC's CyberTipline.
• Use Take It Down. NCMEC's free tool fingerprints the image so participating platforms can remove copies. The photo never leaves your child's device.

Hear Evan Boettler’s Story: The Ben Tracy Podcast, Ep. 8 — Brad & Kari Boettler

Support Evan’s Voice: evansvoice.org

If you need it: 988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. It's free, available 24/7, and also available in Spanish.

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