FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2026
Contact: Team Saritha
Email: [email protected]
BRONX, NY – The mother of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes, who was tragically killed by crossfire while riding his bicycle in the Bronx, today joined New York Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy, State Senator Steve Chan, State Senator Steve Rhoads, and Assemblyman John Mikulin to unveil “Jacob’s Law,” proposed legislation designed to ensure severe consequences for those who recklessly cause the death of a child.
The legislation will be sponsored in the State Senate by Senator Steve Chan and State Senator Steve Rhoads and in the State Assembly by Assemblyman John Mikulin.
The announcement took place outside 104 Elliot Place in the Bronx, at the location where Jacob was killed, two weeks ago to the day.
WATCH FULL VIDEO OF PRESS CONFERENCE HERE
“Jacob should be alive today. He should be riding his bicycle, going to school, spending time with his family and growing up with his entire future ahead of him,” said Saritha Komatireddy, candidate for New York Attorney General. “When someone acts with such reckless disregard for human life that a child is killed, our laws should reflect the gravity of that loss. Jacob’s Law sends a clear message: if you take a child’s life, you get life. I am grateful to Migdalia for turning unimaginable grief into a fight to protect other families, and to Senator Chan, Senator Rhoads, and Assemblyman Mikulin for standing with us to bring that fight to Albany.”
“I shouldn’t have to be going through this,” said Migdalia Martinez, Jacob’s mother. “I received my son’s urn yesterday. Instead of riding his bike, he’s resting in an urn. I want to be at peace, knowing that not only will this man will go to jail for the rest of his life without parole, but also be rest assured that everyone else’s child – the person who did it to that child – faces the same exact thing. There is no way a mother should have to outlive her child through such tragedy.”
Nothing will ever bring my son back, but I will continue fighting in his name so that another mother does not have to experience the pain that I live with every day. Jacob’s name will not be forgotten. I want his life and his story to lead to change, and I am asking lawmakers across New York to stand with our family and pass Jacob’s Law.”
“When the reckless actions of an individual result in the death of an innocent child, New York law must provide consequences commensurate with that devastating loss,” said State Senator Steve Chan, Senate sponsor of Jacob’s Law. “I am proud to sponsor Jacob’s Law in the State Senate and to stand alongside Jacob’s mother as she fights to ensure her son’s legacy protects other children. Albany has an obligation to put the safety of innocent New Yorkers first, and I will work to move this legislation forward.”
“As a father, these senseless acts of violence are completely heartbreaking to me. No parent should ever have to suffer the loss of a child in such a way. The law should impose the most severe penalty possible on anyone who takes a child’s life, and I have always supported efforts to ensure that it does. Families deserve justice, certainty and the peace of knowing their child’s killer will never walk free or receive parole,” said Assemblyman John Mikulin, Assembly sponsor of Jacob’s Law.
Komatireddy worked with Jacob’s family and lawmakers to develop the proposal following his death, and she is putting together an advocacy campaign to ensure enough momentum is generated to ultimately pass the bill. “Jacob’s Law” will now be introduced in both chambers of the New York State Legislature.
WATCH FULL VIDEO OF PRESS CONFERENCE HERE
###