Crime Victim and Student Advocates Join Together To Demand Immediate Passage Of Kyra’s Law To End Child Murders During Custody Proceedings

How many more children must die during child custody and visitation proceedings in New York’s courts before systems are put in place to protect children during this potentially dangerous time? This is the question asked multiple times today by Jacqueline Franchetti, whose daughter Kyra was murdered by her abusive father, student advocates dedicated to the passage of Kyra’s Law, and representatives from local and statewide crime victim organizations.

According to published media reports, 22 children have been murdered by an abusive parent in New York since 2016. This includes Kyra Franchetti, who was ordered by the court to have unsupervised visits with her father, despite repeated reports and eyewitness accounts of his anger and rage issues, suicidal ideation, stalking and history of coercive tactics and abuse. Days after the court granted her abusive father overnight visits, Kyra was shot to death while she slept.

Avocates called on Governor Hochul and the Legislature to immediately approve Kyra’s Law, a bill that would require the court to assess a child’s life and safety at the initiation of child custody court proceedings, prioritize a child’s safety when making decisions regarding final orders of child custody and visitation, and significantly enhance training for judges on domestic violence, child abuse and child sexual abuse.

Jacqueline Franchetti, Kyra’s Mom and Founder of Kyra’s Champions: “Every day, the school bus drives by my house and Kyra is not on it. Kyra should be in third grade. Instead of packing her lunch and sending her to school, I bring flowers to her grave. Kyra is one of 23 children to be murdered by their own parent during a custody case, divorce or separation in New York State since 2016. 23 children. 23 burials. 23 lives needlessly taken. I’m calling on the New York State Senate and Assembly to immediately pass Kyra’s Law, and for

Governor Hochul to sign this into law. This desperately needed law employs common sense to protect children from abusive and murderous parents. It has been 6 1/2 years since Kyra was murdered, and our courts are still ordering children into homes where they are beaten, raped, and emotionally destroyed at epidemic rates. The child custody crisis is the epidemic that will outlast the current pandemic until legislative changes, like Kyra’s Law, are enacted.”

“I am honored to once again stand with Kyra’s mother, Jacqueline Franchetti, to advocate for the passage of Kyra’s Law. This critically important, bipartisan legislation will provide greater protections to New York’s children and families by making needed changes to the state’s Family Court system. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to sponsor and help pass Kyra’s Law this year.” Senator Anthony Palumbo, co-sponsor of Kyra’s Law, said.

“Kyra’s Law would be a critical step forward in protecting victims of domestic violence and their children. It is a commonsense proposal to address the inadequacies, inequities, and injustices of the current Family Court System.” Jennifer Rowland, Director of Education at The Safe Center, said.

—Submitted by Kyra’s Champions