LMT Names Oct. 15 'Kay's Day' To Honor Slain Girl (ICYMI)

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — In Lower Makefield, Oct. 15 is now officially "Kay's Day."

Township supervisors voted Wednesday evening to declare the day in honor of Kayden Mancuso, a local 7-year-old girl who was killed last year by her father and whose family now is working to enact stronger child-protection laws.

Oct. 15 was Kayden's birthday.

The resolution approved by LMT supervisors says it is meant to help recognize the board's "solemn obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare of township residents" and to "remind all of us of the importance of child safety and protection."

"The Board of Supervisors calls upon all residents to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of our community's children," the resolution reads.

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The resolution came hours before state lawmakers will meet in Lower Makefield to discuss "Kayden's Law" — a bill introduced by state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, who represents the township.

The Senate Democratic Policy Committee was scheduled to hold a public hearing at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Lower Makefield Township Community Center, at 1550 Oxford Valley Rd.

Santarsiero's bill (S.B. 868) aims to ensure that the paramount factor in child custody cases must be the health and safety of the child. Histories of abuse and domestic violence must be considered, under the bill, as must allegations of child abuse or violence.

In custody cases in which those issues are a factor, a court hearing to consider them would be required before custody can be awarded.

The legislation also calls on Pennsylvania's court system to require training for judges and other court officers to make sure they understand issues surrounding child abuse and domestic violence.

Kayden, an Edgewood Elementary student, was killed last August while visiting her father in Philadelphia. Her stepfather and grandfather discovered her body, bludgeoned to death, at the Manayunk home. Her father, Jeff Mancuso, was found dead in his bedroom.

At the time, Kayden's mother had a restraining order against Mancuso because of his violent past and family members have said that Mancuso had made death threats against them.