Conner's Law:
Conner's Law is the name for a law in the state of Kentucky in the United States that requires people charged with manslaughter in the first degree to serve 85 percent of the sentence prior to being released. The law is named after Conner Bachuss, a Kentucky boy who suffered unspeakable abuse at the hands of his mother's then live-in boyfriend Ronald Saunders II. Conner died five days later from those injuries on December 10, 2010.
History:
In December 2010, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner's two-year-old son Conner Bachuss died from unspeakable abuse by her then-boyfriend, Ronald Saunders II. Saunders used a plea to a lesser charge to escape a long-term sentence.
Conner was physically abused and suffocated in the early morning hours of December 5, 2010 at the hands of Saunders, but his trial in January 2012 ended in a hung jury. In March 2012 new evidence came to light. This Included a detailed confession from a cellmate of Saunders and DNA evidence.
In April 2012, the McCracken County Commonwealths Attorney Office accepted a plea deal offer for the case. The McCracken County Commonwealth's Attorney Office accepted a plea of Manslaughter in the 2nd degree, which is a non-violence offense. That labeled Conner's murder as non-violent, and Saunders a non-violent offender. Saunders only served 5.5 years of his 10-year sentence and he was released.
Seeking justice for her son Waggoner and began investigating later her ex-boyfriend. She later discovered Saunders had a violent past. In 2005, Saunders had been under investigation by Children's Services in North Carolina. However, Saunders was never charged with any crime. In 2007, while serving in the United States Marines Corps, Saunders was convicted on three different occasions for assaults on other Marines. This prompted his early release.
As Waggoner began lobbying for change in an effort to keep her son's memory alive, her mother Patsy Edwards stumbled upon a news article in the Detroit Examiner about Conner. They immediately connected with the writer. Donna Kshir (pronounced Shear) was a columnist in her hometown with the Clinton County Record, the Newsblaze and the Detroit Examiner. She was also the president of Dreamcatchers for Abused Children and an online radio personality. Waggoner and Kshir quickly created a close friendship. The two worked together in an effort to give Conner the justice he deserved. As Waggoner approached Kentucky Lawmakers, Kshir used her influence behind the scenes collecting signatures, creating online petitions, updating websites, and connecting with other activists to gain national support in the growth of Conner's Law.
After two prior attempts left Conner's Law in a House committee Waggoner turned to Danny Carroll, the freshman senator for help.
This time the bill passed the Senate 36-0 and the House 97-1.
Waggoner told Local 6 it was extremely emotional to watch the Governor sign it in person.
On December 5, 2019, Waggoner wrote Kshir a 'Letter of Recommendation' for her work with Conner's Law. Waggoner and Kshir still remain close friends. Waggoner continues creating public awareness for child abuse through her online group Conner's Coalition. Kshir, too, continues to be a voice for children. In 2015, she co-founded Advocates United for Humanity with her best friend Lee Roberts. She and Roberts' have published several books together and they have a popular podcast, AU4H Radio, that airs on iHeartRadio. The duo interviewed Glendene Grant on the 15th anniversary of Missing Jessie Foster. Currently, the duo is petitioning to make the Central Registry public in Kshir's home state of Pennsylvania.
History:
In December 2010, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner's two-year-old son Conner Bachuss died from unspeakable abuse by her then-boyfriend, Ronald Saunders II. Saunders used a plea to a lesser charge to escape a long-term sentence.
Conner was physically abused and suffocated in the early morning hours of December 5, 2010 at the hands of Saunders, but his trial in January 2012 ended in a hung jury. In March 2012 new evidence came to light. This Included a detailed confession from a cellmate of Saunders and DNA evidence.
In April 2012, the McCracken County Commonwealths Attorney Office accepted a plea deal offer for the case. The McCracken County Commonwealth's Attorney Office accepted a plea of Manslaughter in the 2nd degree, which is a non-violence offense. That labeled Conner's murder as non-violent, and Saunders a non-violent offender. Saunders only served 5.5 years of his 10-year sentence and he was released.
Seeking justice for her son Waggoner and began investigating later her ex-boyfriend. She later discovered Saunders had a violent past. In 2005, Saunders had been under investigation by Children's Services in North Carolina. However, Saunders was never charged with any crime. In 2007, while serving in the United States Marines Corps, Saunders was convicted on three different occasions for assaults on other Marines. This prompted his early release.
As Waggoner began lobbying for change in an effort to keep her son's memory alive, her mother Patsy Edwards stumbled upon a news article in the Detroit Examiner about Conner. They immediately connected with the writer. Donna Kshir (pronounced Shear) was a columnist in her hometown with the Clinton County Record, the Newsblaze and the Detroit Examiner. She was also the president of Dreamcatchers for Abused Children and an online radio personality. Waggoner and Kshir quickly created a close friendship. The two worked together in an effort to give Conner the justice he deserved. As Waggoner approached Kentucky Lawmakers, Kshir used her influence behind the scenes collecting signatures, creating online petitions, updating websites, and connecting with other activists to gain national support in the growth of Conner's Law.
After two prior attempts left Conner's Law in a House committee Waggoner turned to Danny Carroll, the freshman senator for help.
This time the bill passed the Senate 36-0 and the House 97-1.
Waggoner told Local 6 it was extremely emotional to watch the Governor sign it in person.
On December 5, 2019, Waggoner wrote Kshir a 'Letter of Recommendation' for her work with Conner's Law. Waggoner and Kshir still remain close friends. Waggoner continues creating public awareness for child abuse through her online group Conner's Coalition. Kshir, too, continues to be a voice for children. In 2015, she co-founded Advocates United for Humanity with her best friend Lee Roberts. She and Roberts' have published several books together and they have a popular podcast, AU4H Radio, that airs on iHeartRadio. The duo interviewed Glendene Grant on the 15th anniversary of Missing Jessie Foster. Currently, the duo is petitioning to make the Central Registry public in Kshir's home state of Pennsylvania.
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
child rights activist, author, and podcaster Donna M. Kshir.
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
child rights activist, author, and podcaster Donna M. Kshir.
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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's Law-Kentucky by S. Justice: The Book
This is a compiled book of online sources, photographs, media outlets and documents behind Conner's Law (KY SB102). My goal was to shine light on Conner's mother Mashanna and all the amazing individuals who supported KY SB102 and demanded justice for Conner Bachuss.
Conner's Law (KY SB102) was signed into Kentucky state law by Governor Steven L. Beshear on Wednesday March 25, 2015. Conner's Law requires a minimum sentence for manslaughter in the first degree to carry a 10-20 year sentence, now includes fatal child abuse. The law requires 85 percent of sentences to be served prior to release. The law is named after 2 year-old Conner Bachuss, a Kentucky toddler who suffered unspeakable abuse and lost his life at the hands of his mother's then boyfriend Ronald Saunders II.
Conner's mother, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner worked on this bill for over 3 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, Donna Kshir a child advocate at Dreamcatchers for Abused Children, her husband Eirik S. Waggoner and Bachuss-Waggon's friends, family and children. Buy Now!!
View Conner's Law - Kentucky!!
* There is no cost for this book/ebook other than printing fees through the publisher on this website!
Conner's Law (KY SB102) was signed into Kentucky state law by Governor Steven L. Beshear on Wednesday March 25, 2015. Conner's Law requires a minimum sentence for manslaughter in the first degree to carry a 10-20 year sentence, now includes fatal child abuse. The law requires 85 percent of sentences to be served prior to release. The law is named after 2 year-old Conner Bachuss, a Kentucky toddler who suffered unspeakable abuse and lost his life at the hands of his mother's then boyfriend Ronald Saunders II.
Conner's mother, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner worked on this bill for over 3 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, Donna Kshir a child advocate at Dreamcatchers for Abused Children, her husband Eirik S. Waggoner and Bachuss-Waggon's friends, family and children. Buy Now!!
View Conner's Law - Kentucky!!
* There is no cost for this book/ebook other than printing fees through the publisher on this website!