The loss of Aramazd Andressian Jr., a 5-year-old boy known as "Piqui," legislators, activists, and his grieving mother, Ana Estevez, have come together in the pursuit of justice. The tragic death of Piqui in 2017, at the hands of his abusive father amidst a bitter custody battle, has given rise to a critical piece of legislation: Piqui's Law, according to Fox LA.
This law, sponsored by Senator Susan Rubio of Baldwin Park, seeks to provide crucial reforms to California's family court system, prioritizing the safety of children in custody proceedings. KTLA reports that it mandates domestic abuse training for judges, particularly when handling cases involving an abusive parent. Activists took to the steps of Pasadena City Hall on September 19 to implore Governor Gavin Newsom to sign it; Estevez, who fought in family court to protect her son from his father, was among them, as mention in the local news publication Pasadena Now.
Despite her pleas, the court allowed Piqui's father, Aramazd Andressian, unsupervised visitation, during which he murdered their son. Since then, Estevez has made it her mission to overhaul the system and prevent further tragedies, stating that not a day goes by when she does not think of her son, per Fox LA.
Piqui's Law will establish training programs on child abuse, domestic violence, coercive control, bias, and trauma for professionals who perform duties in family law matters. The Judicial Council will also be required to collect and report data on judicial training hours completed in a continuing education program. The legislation intends to raise awareness and vigilance among judges when addressing child custody disputes and potentially abusive parents, preventing tragedies like Piqui's from occurring in the future.
In addition to the mandated training, Piqui's Law also strives to eliminate traumatic reunification sessions, known for forcing children out of their safe environments and into the care of an abusive parent. As Governor Newsom is expected to sign this law within days, California takes a significant step toward safeguarding the children who, like Piqui, have slipped through the cracks of a flawed judicial system, according to Fox LA.
