A suburban Chicago family is calling for changes to Illinois’ controversial SAFE-T Act, as the man accused of hiding their daughter’s death is out on bail pending trial. Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment on Wednesday for multiple felony charges, including concealing the death of 37-year-old Megan Bos. Bos’ body was found in a storage container on Mendoza-Gonzalez’ Waukegan property after she had been missing for over a month.
The Bos family, along with their supporters, gathered outside the Lake County Courthouse with signs that read, “The SAFE-T Act isn’t safe,” expressing their frustrations with the current legal system. Eric Bos, Megan’s father, voiced his disbelief, stating, “This guy belongs in jail. Who does this? Who isn’t held accountable for their actions? For hiding a body for 51 days in a dumpster?” The family is seeking justice for Megan and questioning the efficacy of the SAFE-T Act in cases like theirs.
Mendoza-Gonzalez claimed to the police that Bos overdosed on drugs while at his home, and out of fear, he hid her body first in the basement and then in a storage container in the yard. However, Megan’s mother, Jennifer Bos, expressed doubts about his account, stating, “We don’t know how she died. All we know is what he said. We don’t know if any of that is true, and he’s not being held before we find out if he had a hand in what happened to my daughter.” The Lake County Coroner’s Office is still awaiting complete toxicology, histology, and autopsy reports to determine the cause of Megan’s death.
Under the SAFE-T Act, which was implemented in 2023, Mendoza-Gonzalez’s charges allow for pre-trial release, despite the Bos family’s pleas for him to remain in custody. The act, which eliminated cash bail in Illinois, has been a subject of debate among lawmakers and legal experts. Supporters argue that it promotes fairness in the justice system, while opponents fear that it may neglect the rights of crime victims. Attorney Jorge Montes emphasized the importance of assessing whether the accused individual poses a risk to themselves or the community, as well as the likelihood of flight.
With Mendoza-Gonzalez’s next court appearance scheduled for August and the trial set to begin in November, the Bos family is left feeling uneasy about the accused being out on bail. Jennifer Bos expressed her concerns, saying, “I may run into him in the courthouse because he’s free. He’s not in custody. I may see him checking in through security, or waiting in the hall, sitting in the galley waiting for court. I mean, it’s just not right.” The family continues to push for accountability and justice for Megan, hoping for changes in the legal system to prevent similar incidents in the future.
