Mother's 10-Year Fight Brings Kyra's Law to New York

After a decade of tireless advocacy, Jacqueline Franchetti has brought New York to the brink of transforming how judges handle child custody cases involving abuse.

Her daughter Kyra was killed by her father in a murder-suicide years ago, after a judge awarded joint custody despite documented stalking and threats. Police had testified about the father's behavior, but the court still deemed him "low risk."

That devastating loss became Franchetti's driving force. She drafted legislation requiring New York judges to prioritize domestic violence and child abuse evidence above all other factors in custody decisions.

Getting the language right took years. Franchetti rewrote the bill multiple times to ensure only credible evidence would influence decisions, not baseless allegations or hearsay that could be weaponized unfairly.

The hard work paid off. Some 300,000 people emailed their representatives or marched to demand action, pushing Kyra's Law through both the state senate and assembly.

"Kyra's Law is going to move us lightyears forward in addressing the child custody crisis and protecting children from abusive parents," Franchetti told CBS News. She admitted watching the final vote was "very emotional."

Family court expert Patricia Pastor says the new law will give judges clear direction. "It states that child safety is the top priority in a child custody case or child visitation case," she explained.

The Ripple Effect

Kyra's Law could prevent countless tragedies across New York by ensuring no child faces the same fate as Kyra. When judges have clear statutory requirements to weigh abuse evidence first, children in dangerous situations get the protection they deserve.

The legislation now sits on Governor Kathy Hochul's desk. Her office confirmed she's reviewing it and has until year's end to sign it into law.

One mother's grief transformed into a decade of determination may soon protect thousands of New York children from harm.