Family Of Bucks Co. Girl Killed By Dad Speaks Out On National TV

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The family of a Bucks County girl who was killed by her father in a murder-suicide last month is taking their story nationwide, appearing on Nightline Thursday in an effort to bring about judicial changes they believe are necessary to prevent a similar tragedy from reoccurring.

The mother of Kayden Mancuso, as well as her stepfather and aunt were interviewed on the late-night news program, which aired at 12:35 a.m. on ABC.

Kayden was just 7 when she was killed by her father, Jeff Mancuso, at his home in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia in early August. He then killed himself, police confirmed. The girl was discovered by her stepfather and grandfather after she was not returned home during a scheduled visitation.

The news shocked the Bucks County community, where Kayden was set to enter second grade at Pennsbury's Edgewood Elementary School. She was described in her obituary as a sweet, spunky, and active girl who loved typical 7-year-old things like unicorns, emojis, and LOL dolls.

Kathy Sherlock, Kayden's mother, during the Nightline interview, said she misses everything about her daughter, and there are "so many things I want to tell her."

"I miss every single little thing about her. The fact that I am never going to see her again, I hate it. I hate it. I don't know how to go on with my life. How do we go on without her? I don't know how to do it, I don't. I don't want to do it but I have to," Sherlock said.

The segment also featured Allyson Mancuso, the sister of Jeff Mancuso.

"I hate him," she said, when asked about her brother. She repeated the words without hesitation. "I hate him and although he's dead, I hate him, and I'll never forgive him."

His sister continued, "I wish he would rot in hell for what he did." You can watch a segment of the interview here, or click here to watch the full episode.

According to the family, there were many warning signs along the way that should have prevented the girl from being in her father's care. Her mother had fought for years to get sole custody of the girl, and was involved in a prolonged custody battle with Kayden's father, her family has said.

RELATED: 'Violent' Dad Killed Bucks Co. Girl Amid Custody Battle: Family

According to her family, the girl was dropped off at her father's house along the 4500 block of Wilde Street on for a weekend visit. She was supposed to be returned home the next day. When she didn't arrive home in time, her mother became concerned and shared a photo of her daughter on social media in an attempt to locate her.

Her family said they sought help from the Philadelphia Police Department but they were told that "she was probably just out with her father," and that police were unable to do anything without a warrant, the family explained on the GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $78,000.

Relatives say Kayden's biological father had a violent and storied history yet the court system still allowed for modified visitation.

Nonetheless, "Kayden's mother trusted that the law and the court system would work for her daughter's best interests. However, the system failed and she was taken too soon. Kayden's mother was told to trust the process, but the door was slammed in her face time after time," the GoFundMe page explained.

The situation is one that the family hopes never has to happen to another child again, and they say they plan to fight for their cause. They have met with Bucks County Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and are scheduled to be in Harrisburg on Friday.

They have mobilized their efforts on the Kayden's Korner Facebook page, which has more than 3,200 followers. You can see that page here.

The mission of Kayden's Korner is "to affect judicial reform of the family court system through the education of government to the signs of domestic abuse, shine a light on the impact of mental illness and lobby government to make the health and safety of children the singular concern of the court system," the group explains on its Facebook page.

Little detail is available on Mancuso and the life he led. His Facebook profile shows just a few photos publicly, including a December 2017 photo of him in Disney World with the young girl, who is wearing a princess dress.

In the Nightline interview, his sister said he did not have the ability to love.

Mancuso had obvious violent tendencies, dating back several years, family members of Shelock say. "He threatened to kill all of us," Sherlock's sister, Heather Giglio, told CBS Philly.

"As far as red flags go, you wouldn't find a guy with more red flags," another family member told that network.

You can see Kayden's memorial video here:

Main image via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner