'Maris Commits'
With the Primary Election right around the corner, Denise Maris, the Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives from the 76th District, is not wasting any time getting down to business. She supports access to the Child Abuse Central Registry to protect children.
On Thursday, March 3, Ms. Maris met with child rights activists Donna Kshir (Clinton County, Pennsylvania) and Lee Roberts (Crestview, Florida). Both Ms. Kshir and Roberts are highly respected activists using their voice for Conner’s Law – Kentucky and receiving a Letter of Recommendation, Animal Rescue, Rights, Children’s Rights, Missing and Unidentified Persons, the Homeless, Domestic Violence, and the Deaf Community.
Pic: Bestselling Author and Child Activist Donna Kshir, left, the Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives from the 76th District Denise Maris, center, and Activist and Bestselling Author Lee Roberts, right.
FULL STORY HERE: https://newsblaze.com/usnews/politics/open-central-registry_183050/
On Thursday, March 3, Ms. Maris met with child rights activists Donna Kshir (Clinton County, Pennsylvania) and Lee Roberts (Crestview, Florida). Both Ms. Kshir and Roberts are highly respected activists using their voice for Conner’s Law – Kentucky and receiving a Letter of Recommendation, Animal Rescue, Rights, Children’s Rights, Missing and Unidentified Persons, the Homeless, Domestic Violence, and the Deaf Community.
Pic: Bestselling Author and Child Activist Donna Kshir, left, the Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives from the 76th District Denise Maris, center, and Activist and Bestselling Author Lee Roberts, right.
FULL STORY HERE: https://newsblaze.com/usnews/politics/open-central-registry_183050/
Take Action
Sign the Petition to Help Protect Our Children
Humanitarian group Advocates United for Humanity founders is proposing to amend the currently private Central Registry and make it available to the public.
The idea to help better protect children and save lives came to Ms. Kshir and Ms. Roberts in April of 2015 after Conner's Law was passed in Kentucky on March 25, 2015.
In December 2010, 2-year-old Conner Bachuss was murdered. The toddler was abused so badly, he died from his injuries. The man charged, Ronald Saunders II, was his mother’s boyfriend at the time. Initially charged with murder, Saunders took a plea deal for second-degree manslaughter and received a 10-year sentence labeling it a non-violent crime. From the 10 year sentence, Saunders received and served 5 and 1/2 years.
Ms. Kshir went on the record in 2015 stating, “I definitely believe a child’s life is worth more than 5 and 1/2 years. A child's life is priceless. If Mashanna had known Ron had a violent past she would have never got involved with him and Conner would be alive today.'
The two worked together, Waggoner approaching lawmakers and Kshir gathering signatures and keeping Conner's story in the media, in an effort of stricter sentences for fatal child abuse cases. During that time they discovered Saunders had a violent past dating back to his time in the military, and receiving a dishonorable discharge.
Within weeks of Saunders' release from killing the toddler, he had been arrested in Oklahoma on new charges of criminal abuse 1st degree - child 12 or under, and one count of being a persistent felony offender. Saunders was originally charged with three counts of first-degree criminal abuse involving a child and one count PFO, Persistent Felony Offender.
Roberts shared “If April Brandt, mother of the second victim, had known about Saunders' prior conviction of abusing and killing a child, she would have never exposed her daughter to this 'monster.'
"Lee and I are devastated to learn that Ronald Saunders has viciously hurt another child. This is unfortunate, but when you make plea deals with child killers, allow early releases, and refuse to make information of this caliber available to the public, more children are going to be abused and worse yet more children are going to die,'' Kshir added.
The Central Registry is a private database that law enforcement and state agencies use when they receive suspected abuse or neglect reports. The reports from the database aid social services agencies in their investigation, treatment, and prevention of child abuse cases. These records are used to conduct background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents, daycare workers, schools, volunteers, and employment.
The current Central Registry, as it now stands, leaves millions of parents and caregivers nationwide in the dark on how to protect their children from those convicted of child abuse and neglect.
The proposed amendment to the current private Central Registry would make the registry available to the public. It would require law enforcement agencies to make available information on individuals convicted of child abuse or death related to child abuse.
This proposed amendment would monumentally impact the lives of children and families by significantly reducing the number of children exposed to abuse and neglect.
On Monday, Chicago advocate and author Patrick Dati was the first to sign the petition. Dati wrote a book titled “I AM ME.” He told the story of being raped when he was nine years old by serial killer John Wayne Gacy. In addition to Dati, Renovo Borough Mayor Thomas Tarantella Jr. signed the petition showing his support.
Roberts said, 'I told my son growing up, and now my grandchildren, Nana would move heaven and earth to make sure they were safe. I advocate today and every day for the safety of all children. It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a village to keep them safe.’
Once the petition receives 5,000 signatures Lee Roberts will then present it to Clinton/Lycoming County, Pennsylvania State Representative Stephanie Borowicz asking for her sponsorship. If Borowicz agrees she will then present it to the House of Representatives.
If you would like to sign the petition you may do so at Change.org.
If you have any questions or need assistance please email Lexi at: au4humanity@gmail.com.
The idea to help better protect children and save lives came to Ms. Kshir and Ms. Roberts in April of 2015 after Conner's Law was passed in Kentucky on March 25, 2015.
In December 2010, 2-year-old Conner Bachuss was murdered. The toddler was abused so badly, he died from his injuries. The man charged, Ronald Saunders II, was his mother’s boyfriend at the time. Initially charged with murder, Saunders took a plea deal for second-degree manslaughter and received a 10-year sentence labeling it a non-violent crime. From the 10 year sentence, Saunders received and served 5 and 1/2 years.
Ms. Kshir went on the record in 2015 stating, “I definitely believe a child’s life is worth more than 5 and 1/2 years. A child's life is priceless. If Mashanna had known Ron had a violent past she would have never got involved with him and Conner would be alive today.'
The two worked together, Waggoner approaching lawmakers and Kshir gathering signatures and keeping Conner's story in the media, in an effort of stricter sentences for fatal child abuse cases. During that time they discovered Saunders had a violent past dating back to his time in the military, and receiving a dishonorable discharge.
Within weeks of Saunders' release from killing the toddler, he had been arrested in Oklahoma on new charges of criminal abuse 1st degree - child 12 or under, and one count of being a persistent felony offender. Saunders was originally charged with three counts of first-degree criminal abuse involving a child and one count PFO, Persistent Felony Offender.
Roberts shared “If April Brandt, mother of the second victim, had known about Saunders' prior conviction of abusing and killing a child, she would have never exposed her daughter to this 'monster.'
"Lee and I are devastated to learn that Ronald Saunders has viciously hurt another child. This is unfortunate, but when you make plea deals with child killers, allow early releases, and refuse to make information of this caliber available to the public, more children are going to be abused and worse yet more children are going to die,'' Kshir added.
The Central Registry is a private database that law enforcement and state agencies use when they receive suspected abuse or neglect reports. The reports from the database aid social services agencies in their investigation, treatment, and prevention of child abuse cases. These records are used to conduct background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents, daycare workers, schools, volunteers, and employment.
The current Central Registry, as it now stands, leaves millions of parents and caregivers nationwide in the dark on how to protect their children from those convicted of child abuse and neglect.
The proposed amendment to the current private Central Registry would make the registry available to the public. It would require law enforcement agencies to make available information on individuals convicted of child abuse or death related to child abuse.
This proposed amendment would monumentally impact the lives of children and families by significantly reducing the number of children exposed to abuse and neglect.
On Monday, Chicago advocate and author Patrick Dati was the first to sign the petition. Dati wrote a book titled “I AM ME.” He told the story of being raped when he was nine years old by serial killer John Wayne Gacy. In addition to Dati, Renovo Borough Mayor Thomas Tarantella Jr. signed the petition showing his support.
Roberts said, 'I told my son growing up, and now my grandchildren, Nana would move heaven and earth to make sure they were safe. I advocate today and every day for the safety of all children. It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a village to keep them safe.’
Once the petition receives 5,000 signatures Lee Roberts will then present it to Clinton/Lycoming County, Pennsylvania State Representative Stephanie Borowicz asking for her sponsorship. If Borowicz agrees she will then present it to the House of Representatives.
If you would like to sign the petition you may do so at Change.org.
If you have any questions or need assistance please email Lexi at: au4humanity@gmail.com.
*IMPORTANT NOTE*
"Advocates United for Humanity has no involvement in the bid to open the Central Registry. Donna Kshir and Lee Roberts are independently seeking sponsorship to have the bill amended. As child activists, the AU4H Board of Directors and Ambassadors do support them and their independent mission to further protect children."
"Advocates United for Humanity has no involvement in the bid to open the Central Registry. Donna Kshir and Lee Roberts are independently seeking sponsorship to have the bill amended. As child activists, the AU4H Board of Directors and Ambassadors do support them and their independent mission to further protect children."