Aryanna was a spunky toddler who loved to rough and tumble. She was curious, fearless, and oh-so sweet. She captivated hearts the moment she entered a room and never left without giving away her tenderhearted kisses.

It was March 29, 2004 when Aryanna lost her life while in the care of her licensed day care provider. She was only 20-months old. It was this fateful day when Aryanna was left unsupervised in the backyard of her daycare facility, along with an unlocked and uncovered above-ground spa. After this tragedy occurred, Aryanna’s mother learned of past violations and citations this licensed facility had received, which included leaving the family spa unlocked and uncovered; information that may have changed her decision in leaving her daughter in their care.

In an effort to ensure Aryanna’s death was not futile, her mother set out on a quest to reform the current childcare licensing process and equip parents with information in helping them make one of the most important decisions of their life — placing the care and safety of their child in the hands of another.

Aryanna’s mother reached out to her local representative for Riverside County at the time, Assemblyman John J. Benoit. The moment he heard Aryanna’s story, he knew something had to be done. For the next several years, they worked together on what is now known as Assembly Bill 633, Aryanna’s Law — writing letters to the state capitol, speaking before the Senate in Sacramento and even traveling to New York for an appearance on the Montel Williams show in 2006. After many amendments and updates to the proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 633 was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger and became forever known as “Aryanna’s Law” in the state of California.

Although Aryanna’s life here on earth was but a brief moment, her spirit lives on and her loss may have undoubtedly saved the life of another.