Many of the parents and caregivers highlighted in this report are channeling their grief and turning their life’s most devastating event into something positive to honor the memory and legacy of their murdered child or children in tangible ways that are helping other children. Please support them in all they do.
They are role models for tenacity, stamina, and grit, and we have so much to learn from them.
If your child was murdered by divorcing, separating or court- involved parent and and you have written a book, created anonprofit, or pushed for a law you’d like us to promote, please send us an email at info@centerforjudicialexcellence.org, and we’ll be sure to add it to our website.
Tate’s Legacy Foundation – Alabama
Protective mother Kayla White created Tate’s Legacy Foundation in honor of her 10-year-old son Tate, who was killed on August 6, 2021 in a murder-suicide by his father. The foundation was created to raise awareness of domestic violence and risk factors that lead to physical abuse and fatalities. The foundation advocates for laws that prioritize child safety and makes donations to causes in Tate’s name.
Pierce’s Pledge – California
Protective mother Lesley Hu created Pierce’s Pledge in memory of her precious 9-year-old son Pierce who was tragically murdered by his father on January 13, 2021. Family law attorneys who sign the pledge are committing to only represent clients who agree to disclose and safely store their firearms in a third-party location during their legal representation. CJE is proud to be the fiscal sponsor of Pierce’s Pledge which is already protecting nearly 2,000 families.
Wyland’s Law – California
Protective mother Christy Camara is working to get answers about the murder of her precious 10-year-old son Wyland on March 2, 2020 so she can develop Wyland’s Law in California. Christy filed a 2022 lawsuit against the California Department of Justice which seeks to force the department to disclose the background check records that allowed her son’s murderer to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer despite the presence of an active restraining order that should have disqualified him from purchasing a firearm. Christy also just wrote a book, “Can I Still be Funny After My Son’s Murder?”
Piqui’s Law – California
Protective mother Ana Estevez founded Piqui’s Justice in the wake of her beloved 5-year-old son Piqui’s murder by his father. Ana has been a longtime advocate for child protection in family courts, working to help pass H. Con. Res. 72 (Sessions (R-TX), U.S. House) and Piqui’s Resolution (B. Rubio, D-CA) in 2018, and she is leading the effort to pass Piqui’s Law (S. Rubio, D-CA) in 2023, which would bring federal Kayden’s Law protections to California.
Greyson’s Choice – Florida
Protective mother Ali Kessler created Greyson’s Choice in honor of her precious 4-year-old son Greyson, who was killed in a murder-suicide by his father on May 21, 2021. Greyson’s Choice is committed to raising awareness about the risk of family domestic violence in all forms. One of the organization’s major efforts is Greyson’s Law, which became Florida law in May 2023. This important law expands the factors a court must consider when determining a detriment to a minor child when deciding parental responsibility.
In Loving Memory of Duncan & Jack Leichtenberg – Illinois
Protective mother Amy Leichtenberg has organized fundraisers for the past 13 years to honor the memories of her two beloved sons Duncan (9) and Jack (7), who were killed in a murder-suicide by their father on March 29, 2009. Amy bravely shared her story on the Dr. Phil Show with CJE back in April 2010, and she shared her story at the first White House briefing on the family court crisis that CJE organized in May 2010, along with protective mother Katie Tagle, who appeared at both events also.
In Loving Memory of Duncan and Jack Leichtenberg on Facebook
Justice for Corey – New Jersey
Protective mother Breanna Micciolo created Justice for Corey, an active Facebook group, to fight for justice for her precious 6-year- old son Corey, who was killed due to blunt force trauma by his father on April 2, 2021. His father has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial from prison. Micciolo is currently suing key players in the Department of Child Protection and Permanency in Ocean County, NJ for ignoring her reports of child abuse and denying her emergency custody request the day her son was killed. Hearings in the case are underway.
Jesse’s Law – North Carolina
Christy Adams teamed up with protective mother Victoria Hatton to honor Christy’s beloved 3-year-old son Jesse Ray Adams, who was killed by his father in a murder-suicide on July 13, 2012. Jesse’s Law North Carolina had language drafted in 2023 and hopes to rework the bill for introduction in 2024. Jesse’s Law North Carolina is an active Facebook group that brings awareness to the many complicated facets of the family court crisis.
Jesse’s Law North Carolina on Facebook
Justice For Avery – Ohio
Protective grandmother Tammy E. Risen created Justice4Avery.org to commemorate her beloved 4-year-old granddaughter Avery Hobbs, who was killed by her mother on August 1, 2016. A true “Granny on a Mission,” Tammy wrote a book, “In the Best Interest of a Child,” which sheds light on Avery’s case. An updated version will be published in fall 2023. The organization also has created Developing Essential Advocate Restoration (D.E.A.R) on Facebook for those in care of abused children. Tammy has spoken with lawmakers about introducing legislation to better protect children from abusive parents.
Kayden’s Korner – Pennsylvania
Protective mother Kathy Sherlock established Kayden’s Korner in honor of her precious 7-year-old daughter Kayden, who was killed by her father in a murder-suicide on August 6, 2018. The group is dedicated to the protection of children innocently involved in domestic custody challenges. Kayden’s Law is included in the Violence Against Women Act of 2022, which incentivizes states to adopt child safety legislation to end the family court crisis.
Gabrielle’s Wings – New York
Protective mother and media executive Michelle Hord founded Gabrielle’s Wings after the tragic loss of her precious 7-year-old daughter Gabrielle on June 6, 2017 in a murder-suicide by her father. The nonprofit is dedicated to giving elementary-aged children of color in systemically vulnerable communities access to programs they may not otherwise experience. In 2022, Hord released her memoir “The Other Side of Yet.”
