Gov. Stein signs ‘Jaleeyah’s Law,’ family reflects on loss of 13-year-old Goldsboro girl

GOLDSBORO, N.C. (WITN) - Gov. Josh Stein signed Jaleeyah’s bill into law Monday, legislation introduced in memory of 13-year-old Jaleeyah Tune of Goldsboro, who was shot and killed days before Christmas.

The bill, introduced by Rep. John Bell, aims to crack down on gang activities and perpetrators.

Jaleeyah’s family was present for the signing in Raleigh.

“In signing this bill, we remember Jaleeyah Tune, who was a bright 13-year-old, whose life was cut too short,” Stein said. “It’s been six months since they lost Jaleeyah, they went from putting up Christmas Tree ornaments to having to plan a funeral. We remember her and commit to carrying her memory forward.”

Jaleeyah’s mother, Whitney Brown-Tune, said the moment was emotional.

“I cried, it was beautiful because I felt her with me smiling, knowing she’s dancing in heaven,” she said.

Brown-Tune also reflected on her daughter’s absence.

“I miss my baby, it’s still unbelievable, like it still doesn’t feel real. She was just that beautiful light to our family, she was the life of the party, and now it’s just silent without her, so we missing her daily,” she said.

Jaleeyah’s aunt, Shalanda Tune, said the family felt compelled to act following her death.

“We did a lot together, spent every day together, so for her to be gone in the manner that she was gone, nobody deserves to go through that,” Tune said. “In order for us to properly honor her, we had to do something of this magnitude because we don’t want nobody else to go through it.”

Goldsboro community activist Rodney Robinson with The Rocc Foundation Inc, says this law is the beginning of protecting future generations.

“We have to protect our future and it starts here and whether it’s a small situation or big situation, no child at any age deserves their life to be cut short, so it’s very important that we come together and create policies and changes and laws to combat and create a safer future for our babies,” he said.

Stein also signed House Bill 1104 Monday, which follows the death of Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed and killed on a Charlotte commuter train.

That bill will change how mental health evaluations are conducted involving criminal suspects.