Teens Petition For Restraining Order Changes After Girls' Deaths In Cranford

CRANFORD, NJ — Two teenagers from Cranford are looking to lower the age required in New Jersey for someone to file, or be subject to, a full restraining order for stalking.

On Sept. 29, two 17-year-old girls were hit and killed by the driver of a Jeep in Cranford who allegedly had been monitoring one of them for months. This led one of the teens to file a restraining order against 17-year-old Vincent P. Battiloro.

"She made complaints and nothing was done," friend Tammy Carbajal said to CBS News. "It's just a tragedy. It's just a tragedy."

The two organizers of the petition say these events helped them see that "the law does not adequately protect us or our friends from stalkers."

Harassment cases that fall short of the criteria for a restraining order can lead to the issuance of a "no-contact order." While this is meant to prohibit suspects from initiating any form of communication with a victim, it does not hold the same level of consequences as a restraining order.

Violating a no-contact order is punishable by civil means, including fines. Acting against a restraining order is considered a criminal offense, which are liable to probation and imprisonment.

The petition is calling for lawmakers to lower the age required to file a stalking full restraining order without an adult present to 15. It also calls for the age someone can be subject to a restraining order to be lowered from 18 to 15.

A minor who is being stalked by anyone can obtain a temporary restraining order if their parent or guardian files a complaint with the Superior Court. A conviction for stalking is not needed for the order to be granted.

The court can choose to issue a temporary restraining order against a defendant if "course of conduct" behavior mirroring stalking is deemed evident. These acts include maintaining visual or physical proximity to the accuser directly and indirectly, composing verbal or written threats, or any combination of the two.

According to the latest data available from the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), 52 percent of teens ages 16 to 18 who were stalked said they were fearful for the safety of themselves or others. Among all of the high school students who reported being stalked, 50 percent said this included someone showing up in-person when they were "unwanted."

If a court feels that a temporary restraining order should be continued, it will remain in effect until the defendant is convicted of stalking. A temporary restraining order can also act as an application for a full restraining order.

A temporary restraining order may also stay in effect until the victim's parent or guardian, or the victim after turning 18, asks that the order be dismissed and the court finds cause to do so.

"No other brother, sister, parent, or friend should experience the profound loss our community has faced," added the petition's organizers.

As of Monday afternoon, nearly 2,800 people have signed the petition hosted on change.org.

If you or someone you know feels they are a victim of stalking, help is available via the SPARC resource guide and website.

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