Mark Lunsford, the Father of Murdered Jessica Lunsford Reveals He is a Dad … Mark Has a Miracle Baby Boy

Mark Lunsford, who became a national spokesman and a true American hero to so many for his endless work with child safety after his 9 year old daughter Jessica was murdered by a convicted sex offender in 2005, is a father once again. Mark called the birth a “miracle” and a second chance.

Jessica Marie Lunsford was abducted from her Homosassa, FL home was raped and later murdered on February 27, 2005 by 47 year old, previously convicted sex offender John Couey. The case of 9 year old Jessica tugged at the hearts of America an in the process a father, Mark Lunsford, became the voice of children across the United States.

Mark Lunsford’s tireless work with Jessica’s Law was his gift back to his daughter. It also represented a parents fight to protect all children against child sex predators. Mark Lunsford, a self proclaimed redneck, was one of the most unlikely advocates for child safety against sexual predators. However, Mark Lunsford became part of a fraternity that no one wants membership to as a parent who lost a child at the hands of a predator. Mark Lunsford is a true American hero as he represents John Q. Public and what one person is capable of accomplishing. Mark is the embodiment of the common man and just how much change that anyone is capable of doing when they fight back against evil rather than let it consume them.

The law is named after Jessica Lunsford, a young Florida girl who was raped and murdered in February 2005 by John Couey, a previously convicted sex offender. Public outrage over this case spurred Florida officials to introduce this legislation. Among the key provisions of the law are a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and lifetime electronic monitoring of adults convicted of lewd or lascivious acts against a victim less than 12 years old. In Florida, sexual battery or rape of a child less than twelve years old is punishable only by life imprisonment with no chance of parole.

I was surprised and beyond happy to hear the revelation out of the Ocala Star-Banner  interview with Mark Lunsford that he has a child, a baby boy. Actually, it was a secret child that he has with his girlfriend. She gave birth to a boy on October 6, 2007 — 12 years to the day after Jessica’s birth. Think that is by mere chance?

Calling the birth a “miracle,” Lunsford said the fact that the child was born on Jessica’s birthday was a clear signal to him that God had given him a second chance at being a father.

“There’s a message [from God]: ‘Here’s another one, Mark. Don’t let anything happen to this one’,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a reward or anything. But it’s like God was saying, ‘OK, Mark, I hear you complain about how much you miss Jessie every day. So here’s another one. Take care of him.’ “

Kudos to Mark in that he is a dad again. However, I would say to Mark that not only is his new baby a blessing and a miracle … so is the work he has done to help save other children. God bless Jessica and God bless Mark for his fantastic work and the war he wages against child sex predators. For a dad who lost so much in such a terrible manner, Mark, God does bless those who protect his children and you have done a remarkable job.