A Missouri State Senator who represents parts of southwest Missouri is receiving criticism for his support of child marriages.
Mike Moon, a first-term senator, said during a session this week that 12-year-olds should be able to marry adults with parental consent, defending a stance he has taken for several years.
“Do you know any kids who have been married at age 12? I do. And guess what — they’re still married.” said Moon.
He voted against a bill in 2018 that raised the age for children to marry with parental consent from 15 to 16.
The statement came during a discussion of his bill, Senate Bill 49, which would remove healthcare providers ability to performer gender transition operations on minors.
Senator Moon represents the 29th District, which includes all or parts of Barry, Christian, Lawrence and McDonald counties.