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Our founder is featured in a new book:
“Conner’s Law – Kentucky” goes on sale this Friday… and it has a connection to a local activist.
Fighting to change the law on any level is never an easy process. It can take years, and even then a majority of the time the proposed bill never makes it through the House of Representatives or sees its way to the Senate.
In December 2010, 2-year-old Conner Bachuss was abused so badly, he died from his injuries. The man charged, Ronald Sounder II, was his mother’s live-in boyfriend at the time. Initially, Saunders was charged with murder, However, he took a plea deal for second-degree manslaughter. He would only serve 5.5 years of the 10-year sentence.
Seeking justice for her son, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner was looking for answers and stumbled upon a news article written by Donna M. Kshir in the Philadelphia Examiner. Unknowing to Bachuss-Waggoner at the time, Ms. Kshir was much more than a columnist, she had a long history of child advocacy; more than two decades fighting for children who have been physically and emotionally abused and/or sexually assaulted. The two women would become friends and she would use her influence in the growth of gaining national support for Conner’s Law.
Conner’s Law (KY SB102) would initially sit dormant for three years before it was signed into Kentucky state law by Governor Steven L. Beshear on Wednesday, March 25, 2015. The law requires a minimum sentence for manslaughter in the first degree to carry a 10-20-year sentence, which now includes fatal child abuse. The law requires 85 percent of the sentence to be served prior to release.
Writer S. Justice compiled the book from online sources, photographs, media outlets, and documents behind Conner’s Law (KY SB102). The book documents the two moms’ friendship and their journey to continue to be a voice against violence toward children, longer after Conner’s Law was signed into legislation.
Bachauss-Waggoner said, “Donna Kshir is an advocate for abused children everywhere. She spreads awareness by using her voice to gain attention to child abuse cases. She worked diligently to spread awareness for Conner Bachuss’s case and for Conner’s Law. Donna wrote articles about the case and law, shared petitions, shared updates about the progress, and designed a website for Conner’s Coalition.”
Along with Bachuss-Waggoner and Ms. Kshir who worked on this bill for 4 years, along with help from Senator Danny Carroll, Representative Gerald Watkins, Representative Steven Rudy, Will Coursey, Joni Jenkins, Richard Heath, Senator Whitney Westerfield, Representative John Tilley, Representative Thomas Kerr,. Jason Batts and Sheriff Jon Hayden of the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, her husband Eirik S. Waggoner and Bachuss-Waggoner’s friends, family, and children.
Days before what would have been the Kentucky toddler’s 9th birthday, Bachuss-Waggoner presented Ms. Kshir with a Letter of Recommendation for her work with Conner’s Law – Kentucky.
Bachauss-Waggoner said, “Donna has given a voice to victims of child abuse and their families by writing countless articles and books. She also published and contributed to a series of books for victims and survivors called Unmasked and Unmasked 2. Donna Kshir is a pillar of her community for helping with several local projects. She has raised money and raised awareness for different issues in her community. She also started a local writing group to give people support and an outlet to express their selves. Donna has also partnered with other child abuse advocacy groups to spread awareness about child abuse. Donna Kshir has been a significant individual in awareness and growth for child abuse advocacy.”
Books can be purchased on Amazon, Lulu, Barnes and Noble, and other brick-and-mortar stores.
Source: Lock Haven Express
Kentucky Governor signs Conner's Law:

Conner's Law's goal is to raise public awareness for child abuse, to lobby for change to Kentucky legislation, as well as changing the laws nationwide, regarding child abuse and to create a national public child abuse registry... Employers are not the only ones who have the right to know if a person commits a violent act against a child. We as parents have a right to know!!!
Conner Bachuss was just two-years old when he was abused so badly, he died from his injuries. The man charged, Ronald Sounder II, was his mother's boyfriend at the time. Initially charged with murder, he took a plea deal for second degree manslaughter and received a 10 year sentence. Mashanna Bachuss Waggoner, Conner's mom, has been fighting ever since to get stricter sentences for fatal child abuse cases.
Waggoner stumbled upon an article about her son and immediately connected with the writer. Donna Kshir who was a columnist with the Detroit Examiner and the president of Dreamcatchers for Abused Children based out of Michigan. Ms. Kshir used her influence in the growth of gaining national support for Conner's Law, making fatal child abuse a violent crime in Kentucky. Waggoner and Kshir created a close friendship that will stand the test of time, as both women continue to be a voice against violence towards children.
"I definitely think a child's life is worth way more than 5 and 1/2 years and I'm very glad that with his name that will change and make sure that that doesn't happen again," she said.
Two prior attempts left Conner's Law in a House committee where they died. This time, she turned to Danny Carroll, the freshman senator for help.
"Nothing against Mr. Caroll, but it is his first session, so I really just thought we are going to get our name out there, you know?" She said. "Maybe get some more sponsors, more supporters, I had no idea it would go this far this fast."
The bill passed the Senate 36-0 and the House 97-1.
Bachuss Waggoner told Local 6 it was extremely emotional to watch the Governor sign it in person.
"I know Connor's name and case will live on and has done good," she said. She added that she plans to help other state's strengthen their laws, too.
For more on Conner's Law, visit the website!!
Conner Bachuss was just two-years old when he was abused so badly, he died from his injuries. The man charged, Ronald Sounder II, was his mother's boyfriend at the time. Initially charged with murder, he took a plea deal for second degree manslaughter and received a 10 year sentence. Mashanna Bachuss Waggoner, Conner's mom, has been fighting ever since to get stricter sentences for fatal child abuse cases.
Waggoner stumbled upon an article about her son and immediately connected with the writer. Donna Kshir who was a columnist with the Detroit Examiner and the president of Dreamcatchers for Abused Children based out of Michigan. Ms. Kshir used her influence in the growth of gaining national support for Conner's Law, making fatal child abuse a violent crime in Kentucky. Waggoner and Kshir created a close friendship that will stand the test of time, as both women continue to be a voice against violence towards children.
"I definitely think a child's life is worth way more than 5 and 1/2 years and I'm very glad that with his name that will change and make sure that that doesn't happen again," she said.
Two prior attempts left Conner's Law in a House committee where they died. This time, she turned to Danny Carroll, the freshman senator for help.
"Nothing against Mr. Caroll, but it is his first session, so I really just thought we are going to get our name out there, you know?" She said. "Maybe get some more sponsors, more supporters, I had no idea it would go this far this fast."
The bill passed the Senate 36-0 and the House 97-1.
Bachuss Waggoner told Local 6 it was extremely emotional to watch the Governor sign it in person.
"I know Connor's name and case will live on and has done good," she said. She added that she plans to help other state's strengthen their laws, too.
For more on Conner's Law, visit the website!!
Letter of Recommendation:
Mashanna Bachuss
12-05-019
RE: Ms. Donna Kshir
To whom it may concern:
Donna Kshir is advocate for abuse children everywhere. She spreads awareness by using her voice to gain attention to child abuse cases. She worked diligently to spread awareness for Conner Bachuss’s case and for Conner’s Law. Donna wrote articles about the case and law, shared petitions, shared updates about the progress, and design a website for Conner’s Coalition. Donna has given a voice to victims of child abuse and their families by writing countless articles and books. She also published and contributed to a series of book for victims and survivors called Unmasked,Unmasked 2, and Unmasked 3. Donna Kshir is a pillar of her community for helping with several local projects. She was raised money, and raised awareness for different issues in her community. She also started a local writing group to give people support and an outlet to express their selves. Donna has also partnered with other child abuse advocates groups to spread awareness about child abuse. Donna Kshir has been a significant individual for awareness and growth for child abuse advocacy.
Sincerely,
Mashanna Bachuss
Conner’s Coalition
Conner's Law - Conner's Mother
12-05-019
RE: Ms. Donna Kshir
To whom it may concern:
Donna Kshir is advocate for abuse children everywhere. She spreads awareness by using her voice to gain attention to child abuse cases. She worked diligently to spread awareness for Conner Bachuss’s case and for Conner’s Law. Donna wrote articles about the case and law, shared petitions, shared updates about the progress, and design a website for Conner’s Coalition. Donna has given a voice to victims of child abuse and their families by writing countless articles and books. She also published and contributed to a series of book for victims and survivors called Unmasked,Unmasked 2, and Unmasked 3. Donna Kshir is a pillar of her community for helping with several local projects. She was raised money, and raised awareness for different issues in her community. She also started a local writing group to give people support and an outlet to express their selves. Donna has also partnered with other child abuse advocates groups to spread awareness about child abuse. Donna Kshir has been a significant individual for awareness and growth for child abuse advocacy.
Sincerely,
Mashanna Bachuss
Conner’s Coalition
Conner's Law - Conner's Mother