Nearly a decade after a Manhasset toddler was shot to death by her father during a court-approved visitation, advocates say a major child safety bill inspired by Kyra Franchetti’s killing is closer than ever to becoming law in New York.

The measure advanced unanimously through the New York State Senate Judiciary Committee this month, marking what supporters called a critical step toward strengthening protections for children in custody and visitation cases involving abuse allegations.

For Jacqueline Franchetti,Kyra’s mother,the vote carries deep personal significance.

“As Kyra’s mom, this is an incredibly emotional and pivotal moment,” Franchetti said.

On July 27, it will be 10 years since Kyra, then 28 months old, was shot to death by her father during an unsupervised court-approved visitation, despite what Franchetti has said were repeated warnings about abuse and threats.

“For nearly a decade, I have lived with the unbearable reality that Kyra should be here,” Franchetti said. “Every birthday, every holiday, and every visit to her gravesite is a reminder of what was taken from us. I see the school bus drive by my house, and I know she is not on it.”

Following Kyra’s death in 2014, Franchetti began advocating for reforms to New York’s family court system, arguing courts too often fail to recognize warning signs of abuse and coercive control in custody disputes.

Her advocacy efforts eventually led to the development of Kyra’s Law, legislation supporters say would require judges handling custody matters to receive training on domestic violence and child abuse while helping courts better identify risks before a child is harmed.

“Kyra’s Law is a desperately needed bill that has involved the work of top organizations like the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, experts, leading domestic violence and child abuse prevention organizations, matrimonial and family law experts, researchers, and survivors,” Franchetti said.

“This is a carefully crafted, evidence-based piece of legislation that will allow New York courts to identify risks and act before a child is harmed or killed,” she added.

Source: LI Press