| Birth: | Sep. 7, 1965
Bergen County
New Jersey, USA | | Death: | Apr. 19, 1973
Hillsdale
Bergen County
New Jersey, USA | 
Joan was a beautiful, sweet child. She was outgoing, sensitive and very bright. She loved to tell jokes and her favorite expression was "big whoop!" She loved the color green and "Ode to Joy" was her favorite song. Joan went to school at St. John the Baptist Elementary and also attended church there as well. Joan was raped and murdered by her neighbor, as she was delivering Girl Scout cookies. She was murdered on Holy Thursday and her body was found on Easter Sunday. Her murderer was sentenced to life in prison. Back in the 1970s that meant he would be eligible for parole in 14 years. In 1987 he was up for parole and denied. In 1993 he was again denied. With the possibility that Joan's killer might someday walk the streets her mother launched a crusade to protest her daughter's pedophile murderer's release. Thanks to the courageous efforts by her mother, Rosemarie, "Joan's Law" has been enacted. Whereby, people who molest and murder children under 14 years of age will receive a minimum penalty of life in prison without parole. Prosecuters also have the option of seeking the death penalty. Rosemarie is also responsible for promoting passage of the Justice for Victims Law. The Joan Angela D'Alessandro Memorial Foundation works to promote the passage of Joan's Law in other states. It also offers aid to children in distress and also helps disadvantaged children attain productive lives. They also provide funds to send children of a homeless shelter on a vacation to the Jersey shore. To make a donation or seek information please write to the foundation at P.O. Box 336, Hillsdale, NJ 07642.
www.joansjoy.org
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| | | Burial:
Ascension Cemetery
Monsey
Rockland County
New York, USA |
Created by: Rosemarie D
Record added: Oct 11, 2002
Find A Grave Memorial# 6845719 |
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