News/Commentary

Gov DeSantis calls for impeachment of local judge who let a convicted pedophile out to kill his stepdaughter

April 1, 2026 | | Print Article

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday called for a local judge to be impeached for releasing a criminal who went on to murder someone.

Last year, Florida man Daniel Spencer, 35, was convicted of attempting to meet a 15-year-old girl. This conviction came after he was accused of abusing his stepdaughter.

Following Spencer’s conviction, Leon County Judge Tiffany Baker-Carper said he could remain free as he awaited sentencing “because he’d already been out of jail for a year without violations and had no violent criminal history,” according to the Florida Phoenix.

That decision turned out to be fatal.

“[A] month later, he — along with the girl’s mother, Chloe Spencer — beat and murdered his stepdaughter, Missy Mogle,” the Phoenix notes. “Both Spencers were charged with second-degree murder in May 2025.”

Mogle’s tragic death later inspired Florida lawmakers to draft a bill, Missy’s Law, in honor of her.

ADVERTISEMENT

Signed into law by DeSantis on Tuesday while he was in Tampa, the bill prevents felons convicted of violent/sexual crimes from being released from jail prior to sentencing.

“Under the law, individuals found guilty of or entering a plea for a dangerous crime will be immediately remanded into custody and held without bond while awaiting sentencing,” according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“The legislation also expands the statutory list of dangerous crimes to include certain computer pornography and child exploitation offenses, ensuring individuals arrested for these crimes are not automatically released at their first appearance,” the press release continues.

Before signing the bill, DeSantis called for Baker-Carper’s impeachment.

“To my friends in the Florida House of Representatives, I don’t think what you’ve done is enough,” he said, according to CBS News. “Until you start holding these judges accountable, they’re going to continue to find ways to benefit the criminal element. This was an outrage.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The governor added that Missy’s Law will help.

“Any time you do legislation like this, it’s obviously bittersweet because a tragedy leads to the impetus to do something, and so you reflect on that and see the pain of the family, but also know that you’ve done something about it and in the future this isn’t going to happen to another 5-year-old girl,” he said. “The state of Florida is safer as a result of this.”

Mogle’s family was reportedly present when the bill was signed.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier responded to the governor’s request by sending a letter to Florida State House Speaker Daniel Perez, urging him to begin impeachment proceedings immediately.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Floridians expect judges to apply the law as written and to use their discretion properly and in the interest of justice to keep Floridians and their families safe from predators like Spencer,” the letter reads. “Government exists to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people, and the first duty of all public officials is to ensure public safety.”

“Judge Baker-Carper failed in her most fundamental duty and should no longer be a judge in this State. I ask that the Florida House of Representatives begin impeachment proceedings against Judge Baker-Carper immediately. My office is ready to assist you and the Florida House of Representatives to ensure that Judge Baker-Carper never hears another case again,” it continues.

Vivek Saxena
Latest posts by Vivek Saxena (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles