Chelsea King's family brings fight for tougher sex laws to Illinois

Former Waubonsie Valley High School student Chelsea King would have turned 18 last month; she likely would have started college this week.

Instead her family is marking a bittersweet victory in the California legislature and vowing to bring their cause to Illinois.

For her parents, Kelly and Brent King, life without their daughter is a day-to-day struggle.

"We're learning every day how to navigate our new life," says Chelsea's mom, Kelly. "It's not getting easier; we're just learning to steer through the days."

Six months ago Wednesday, Chelsea's body was discovered near San Diego. She had been raped and murdered while out jogging. Her assailant was a registered sex offender who had broken parole and, unbeknown to police, had killed another girl a year earlier.

"The way our daughter was taken only spoke to one thing: It was a preventable issue," Chelsea's father Brent King said.

Since then, the Kings have become outspoken advocates for tougher laws against sex offenders, including a mandatory life sentence for some first-time child predators.

A bill the Kings spearheaded in California, named "Chelsea's Law," passed a crucial vote this week in the California Senate.

"I had tears streaming down my face. I was so, so very proud." Kelly said.

After three years in California, the Kings returned to Naperville earlier this summer, where they previously had lived for 10 years. It was less of a move and more of a search for the familiar - and a chance at a fresh start for their 14-year-old son Tyler.

In San Diego, Tyler is known as Chelsea's brother. Here, Tyler can be Tyler.

Returning to Naperville, Kelly says, "has been a tremendous comfort. We've been so blessed in so many ways."

"Chelsea was running toward being a marathon runner," Brett said. "And she continues to let us know, 'Hey, great job in California.' That was our test, right? We're going to keep running."

"This is our marathon," Kelly added.

The Kings have started a foundation called Chelsea's Light, and their Facebook page has almost 100,000 supporters. They plan to work on get-tough legislation in Illinois, just like they did in California.

Their first priority, though, is to get Tyler settled. He just started high school this week.