Megan's Law is named after seven-year-old Megan Kanka who went missing one afternoon. With her mother being unaware that her neighbor was a twice convicted sex offender, Megan played freely in the neighborhood.

The neighbor, who should have been known to both Megan and her mother as a "Bad Stranger," lured the young girl into his house where he raped and killed her.

On October 19, 1994, the neighbor, Jesse Timmendequas, was charged with purposeful first degree kidnapping, first degree aggravated sexual assault and the murder of Megan.

Timmendequas was sentenced to death after his trial determined he was guilty of capital-murder.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Kankas sought to have local communities warned about sex offenders as “Bad Strangers” living in the area. All states now have a form of Megan's Law, which provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children.

More details on the case State v. Timmendequas, 737 A.2d 55 (N.J. 1999) can be found here: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/nj-supreme-court/1057862.html