Born:  November 28, 1993
Died:  February 22, 2000

Jake died a horrible death on the streets of Independence, Missouri, on Tuesday, February 22, 2000.

On February 22, 2000, Jake's mom, Christy Robel, stopped at a sandwich and pasta shop on Missouri 291 in Independence around 3:45 PM.  She and Jake had never stopped there until that day.  Jake was thirsty so his mom stopped at the shop to buy him a drink.  As she drove up, Christy noticed a man sitting outside the shop.  Christy walked into the shop.  As Christy was standing in line, another customer told her that someone was stealing her SUV.  Christy ran out the dorr.  She tried to get Jake out of the car but Jake became tangled up in the seatbelt.  Christy had tried to tell the person stealing her SUV that her son was in the vehicle.  The man pulled out of the parking spot without listening to Christy.  Christy ended up being dragged a short distance before she let go.  The man sped up in the SUV with Jake hanging out the door.  Jake was dragged down southbound Missouri 291.  The drive then exited Missouri 291 to westbound I-70.  On I-70, several drivers began to notice a child that was being dragged.  They tried to get the driver to stop by flashing their lights.  But, the driver kept on going down the interstate. At least three vehicles chased the stolen vehicle.  It is estimated that the driver reached speeds of eighty miles an hour.  Jake was dragged five miles.  He died before the vehicle came to a stop at Noland Road and Lynn Court in Independence.  At the red light, three vehicles cornered the stolen vehicle.  Someone dragged the suspect, Kim Davis, out of the vehicle.  Several people held him until police arrived.

Kim Davis had just been released from the Carroll County (Missouri) jail.  Before he was released, someone failed to look to see if he had any outstanding warrants.  Kim Davis should have never been released from jail that day because he had an outstanding warrant.

Kim Davis has been charged with second-degree murder and a host of other charges.  His trial is pending.

Jake's Law was finally signed into law in May 2001.  Any police jurisdiction willfully not chening for any warrants on any prisoner being released from that jurisdiction will face a fine of $200.

In late September and early October 2001, Kim Davis was found guilty of first-degree murder.  In November 2001, he was sentenced to life in prison.  He is appealing the verdict and sentence.