Rally Set To Urge Lawmakers To Pass Law Named For Slain Long Island Girl

ALBANY, NY — The mother of a Manhasset girl who police said was slain by her father in a murder-suicide in 2016 is pushing New York state lawmakers to pass legislation that strives to prevent what befell 2-year-old Kyra Franchetti.

Jacqueline Franchetti, mother of Kyra, announced a 90-minute rally in Albany on Monday demanding lawmakers immediately pass Kyra's Law, which would require judges to prioritize a child’s safety and well-being during custody and visitation court proceedings.

The rally is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the State Capitol.

On July 27, 2016, Roy Eugene Rumsey killed his daughter, Kyra, ignited a fire that heavily damaged his house in Fairfax City, Virginia, then fatally shot himself in the head, police said.

Rumsey was abusive, and Kyra was asleep at his home during an unsupervised, court-ordered visit, Kyra's Champions, the group organizing the rally, wrote.

"Kyra's murder was 100% preventable had New York’s court system prioritized her safety and wellbeing," Kyra's Champions stated. "During two years of custody hearings before Kyra’s murder, Judge Danielle Peterson and Nassau County Court officials were repeatedly notified that Kyra’s father was dangerous, abusive, and suicidal. He continually stalked, harassed, and threatened Kyra and Kyra's Mom. Not one person involved in Kyra's custody case put Kyra's safety first."

The legislation, which the group called common sense, is "desperately needed to protect New York’s children from being harmed and murdered" during the years it takes state judges to resolve custody issues.

The state legislature is five weeks behind schedule in passing the state budget, according to Franchetti. Every law, including Kyra's Law, is under a time crunch to pass before June 6.

"That means we now only have a few weeks to make Kyra’s Law a reality," Franchetti wrote. "While it may sound crazy, there are people who seriously oppose our commonsense measures in Kyra’s Law – and they’ll be fighting HARD this month. It's time to show them what real Champion are made of! You know I’ve done all I can behind the scenes which means it’s now YOUR TIME. Together, we can show up on May 8th and DEMAND Albany IMMEDIATELY pass Kyra’s Law!"

Franchetti has been fighting for justice for her daughter for years.

She worked to highlight three bills in Albany that were inspired by Kyra’s story.

The first bill is "Kyra’s Law." It generated bipartisan support across the political divide in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The second pair of bills that have been sponsored in the senate and assembly reforms supervised visits by establishing parameters. The third pair of bills mandate child abuse training for forensic evaluators who examine custody cases.

Franchetti, who was embroiled in a custody battle with Rumsey, had complained to a judge that he was unstable and was yelled at with the words: "grow up," she said, explaining that weeks before Kyra’s death, she was told, "it was not a life or death situation" that she was describing.

A forensic evaluator assigned to her case previously determined in November 2015 that a child’s father "should play a significant role" in their life, she said.

"He did play a significant role in her life; he murdered her," Franchetti said previously.

Before that, Franchetti warned that Rumsey abused her and aired her concerns, but to no avail. She chronicled changes she had seen in her daughter like that she was withdrawn for several days after returning from a visit with her father, and even told her once, in a very grown-up way, that no crying was allowed, Franchetti recalled.

"I was always scared for Kyra," she said.

Franchetti urged attendees on Monday to wear blue for Kyra.

"Together, we will walk around the Capitol with Kyra’s stroller and her beloved Elmo doll. Together, we will demand the immediate passage of Kyra’s Law and protect our children ONCE. AND. FOR. ALL!"

Patch's Peggy Spellman Hoey contributed to this report.