The Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors passed a retroactive resolution at Wednesday night’s meeting to honor the memory and birthday of the late Kayden Mancuso, who would have turned nine on Tuesday.
Visibly emotional, Chairman Dan Grenier prior to reading of the declaration, made a brief and poignant statement on behalf of Board of Supervisors
We do this out sadness both at the loss of one of our residents and also on the hope we can shine a light on childhood safety issues, Kayden’s (Kathryn and Brian) parents and members or Kayden’s Korner are courageously leading the charge to insure no other families ever have to go through what they did on August 6, 2018 and continue to go through, said Grenier.
I don’t know the Sherlocks, but I am the Father to two beautiful energetic little girls …every other board member here is a parent. We all have children and I speak for the board, when I say we are truly sorry for your loss,” he said, voice shaking while reading his statement.
“The Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors is declaring October 15th as “Kay’s Day” to honor the memory and birthday of Lower Makefield Township resident Kayden Mancuso. “Kay’s Day” is a day not only to honor her memory but also to remind the Lower Makefield Township community of the importance of child safety and protection and mental health awareness”Grenier said.
Kathryn Sherlock with husband Brian, came to the podium thanking the board for making the resolution happen in short order.
“This means a lot to our family and community…this to come so quickly is an honor. We still have a lot of work to do unfortunately. We thank you for your recognition of those that need to be protected. That being our children” Sherlock said in a barely audible pained voice.
“Thank you so much for dedicating this day to…” Kayden” Kathryn said.
The proclamation agenda item appeared on the Lower Makefield Township website Friday evening when the board’s meeting agenda was posted.
Kayden was murdered in 2018 by her father, Jeff Mancuso, who then took his own life too.
Kayden’s mother, through sheer force of will and determination has made advocating for new laws dealing with child custody issues hr life’s work.
During a recent press conference to announce “Kayden’s Law” bills authored by state Senator Steve Santarsiero state Representatives Tina Davis (D-Bucks) and Perry Warren (D-Bucks) (D-Bucks) and state Representatives Tina Davis (D-Bucks) and Perry Warren (D-Bucks) co-sponsoring a version of the same measure in the state house.
Her commitment to creating change in the system, officials have called “broken” at times, one community source said is “unyielding.”
The commitment to changing the system has also led to state lawmakers scheduling a policy hearing on Thursday in Lowe Makefield to discuss “Kayden’s Law“
The hearing will be held by the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, which is co-chaired by Santarsiero at the township building community center, 1550 Oxford Valley Road, Yardley, Pa 19067, beginning at 11 a.m.
But how can one soothe the wounds of a tragedy for a mother and family?
Grenier answered by saying , “It is my sincere hope this action will aid Kayden’s family in their pursuit of affecting positive changes in our laws and regulations that place the safety of children at the forefront.”
Now, Oct 15th, in Lower Makefield, will be forever known as “Kay’s Day” because township officials, as Grenier said, “recognized it is the right thing to do.”.
For more info about Kayden’s story, please visit Kayden’s Korner, a website dedicated to their memory and the work being done in her name by advocates.
The above is combination of two stories published in October of 2019 about the “Kay’s Day” Proclamation and the board meeting when it was officially announced.
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