This is my daughter Sheena Kiska, she was a mother of two children and lived at River Shore Apartments in Bristol, IN from 2005 to 2008.

In February of 2008 she returned home from work to find her dwelling had been robbed (non-forced entry). Her daughter’s video tapes, her lap top computer and money had been stolen.
She was devastated, violated and no longer felt safe in her home. She reported the theft to the police and informed management that she was no safe in her home and wanted out of her lease.

Management was not concerned for her safety and instructed her to pay three months rent in order to break her lease. Sheena then felt she was being held captive in an unsafe environment.

Sheena lived in this establishment for four years and not once was she late paying her rent. She decided regardless of the lease, she was moving out. Thirty days to the day of the robbery, Sheena was found murdered in her apartment, non-forced entry.

House Bill 1624 has been introduced in the Indiana legislature by Representative Craig Fry at the urging of Greg and Deborah Kiska, Mishawaka residents in his district. Called “Sheena’s Law,” the bill would allow apartment dwellers to break their leases without penalty if they feel unsafe.

The proposed legislation is named for Sheena Kiska, who was murdered in her River Shores apartment in Bristol in March 2008. Sheena’s apartment had been robbed in February 2008, leading her to fear for her safety in that environment.

Sheena told the management of the apartment complex that she wanted to be released from her lease. When told she would have to pay three months’ rent to move before the lease expired, Sheena said she was going to leave in spite of the penalty. She was packing up her belongings on the very day she was murdered.

Soon after the tragic incident, Sheena’s parents began their campaign to promote legislation that would prevent others from undergoing the same experience their daughter suffered. They have already gathered about 4,500 signatures on a petition they have circulated in the Michiana area and beyond.

Rep. Craig Fry proposed House Bill 1624 in 2008, but it did not receive action in the current session of the Indiana legislature. It will be introduced again in the 2010 session, when the Kiskas hope their petition drive will help achieve passage. They point out that specific provisions in the bill are intended to prevent renters from breaking leases for frivolous reasons.

The synopsis of the bill on the state’s website (www.in.gov) reads as follows: “Termination of lease. Provides that a tenant leasing a dwelling may terminate a lease agreement if the tenant is the victim of certain crimes, including burglary, residential entry, and criminal trespass committed at the dwelling. Requires the tenant to provide, in the tenant’s notice of termination to the landlord, a certified copy of the probable cause affidavit filed in connection with the alleged offense committed against the tenant.”

Interested persons can sign the Kiskas’ petition at area restaurants, the closest being IHOP in Dunlap and the OC Café in Osceola. If any Bristol area businesses are willing to post this petition, they can contact Deborah Kiska at 574-286-8986.

Rep. Fry told the Bristol Bugle that one cannot predict the outcome of any proposed legislation, saying that “a lot of good bills don’t pass” for a variety of reasons. If House Bill 1624 is passed by the House of Representatives, it will go to the state Senate for approval. Fry suggested that those who feel strongly about this issue should contact their legislators, both representatives and senators. He also said that signing petitions is a helpful indication of popular support for a proposal like “Sheena’s Law.”

Chief Deputy Mike Albin of the Bristol Police Department (BPD) was contacted for comment on “Sheena’s Law,” since he is in charge of the murder investigation. His response was that “since this is an active investigation, I can’t comment on the case or on anything related to it.” Since the proposed law and the petition fall under the latter category, no comment could be given. Albin did add, however, that “when I can speak, I will.”