KING WILLIAM — A King William County supervisor has been censured by the other board members after she was accused of insulting the mother of a girl who died of an overdose.

The actions of Mary Sue Bancroft, the 5th District supervisor who is seeking reelection this year, dominated the Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 8. Bancroft apologized, then criticized others for publicizing the issue.

Frank Parker, an Ashland resident, complained about a comment made by Bancroft on a public memorial post and a private message the supervisor sent to his wife.

“In those messages, she directly blamed my wife for the death of our daughter,” Parker said during citizen comments. Their daughter, Sarah, died of an accidental overdose in 2021.

“Sarah was 21 years old and living in Richmond, and battling a disease that far too many families know too well,” Parker said.

Mary Sue Bancroft (Courtesy photo)

“Those words, sent not by a stranger but by an elected official, were not only cruel, they were devastating,” Parker said.

He posted the messages on the Real King William Facebook group. One message read, “It’s so sad you’re the reason Sarah is dead.” The other stated, “So sad when a mother contributes to the death of their own.”

Parker said addiction often haunts parents and leaves them asking, “Was it my fault? Could I have done more? Should I have done something differently? … For a supervisor to weaponize those questions against a mother who has already lost a child is not just inappropriate, it’s inhumane. It is, in truth, cyberbullying of a grieving mother.”

“The impact of those comments has been profound. They have reopened wounds that have never fully healed,” Parker said. He raised the issue with the chair and the vice chair of the Board of Supervisors, who confirmed Bancroft sent the messages.

Parker said he received a handwritten note from Bancroft that “fell short of accountability.”

“Instead of taking responsibility for what she wrote, she stated her mental acuity was impaired and does not want to be linked with negative behavior,” Parker said.

“The people of King William deserve better,” Parker said. He asked the board to send a message that “cruelty, and bullying, and blame have no place in public service.”

At the end of the meeting, the four other board members voted to censure Bancroft.

“I don’t have words,” said Vice Chair Lindsay Robinson, “No person should have to come before a board of elected officials and say what you said,” she told Parker.

She said Bancroft’s behavior violated the county’s rules and procedures and made the motion to censure her fellow supervisor.

Benjamin Edwards said his grandson died of an overdose. “It’s an epidemic and it’s something that happens to all of us,” he said.

“Sorry’s not enough, but I’m going to say it again on behalf of myself and the board members sitting beside me,” said Chair Justin Catlett.

Bancroft did not attend the meeting in person. She made a virtual statement to the board.

“In the age of instantaneous communication, errors in judgment can be amplified with alarming speed. Recently, I made a regrettable mistake. I sent a message through social media concerning a sensitive matter only to realize the gravity of my choice soon after,” she said.

Bancroft said she attempted to retract the message, but was unsuccessful and quickly issued an apology to the Parkers.

“My hope was that this gesture of accountability would help restore trust and resolve the matter within a circle of discretion.”

Bancroft read the letter of apology she sent to the Parkers. It said her “mental acuity was impaired.”

“I am most ashamed of my initial actions … I realize that what I shared was hurtful and I deeply regret any pain it may have caused. I understand that my words were insensitive and I take full responsibility for them,” she wrote to the family.

Bancroft pledged to delete her social media accounts. “I am truly sorry.” She said she is “not a hateful person.”

Bancroft said the details of the posts were shared by “both or one” of the original recipients of Parker’s email, an apparent reference to Robinson and Catlett. She said the “breach of confidentiality” resulted in a Freedom of Information request by Mike Wade, a Republican political activist who has criticized Bancroft during citizen comments at recent Board of Supervisors meetings.

Bancroft said Wade was seeking to damage her reputation “with the intent of advancing my opponent in the campaign for the 5th District seat in November,” an apparent reference to Robert Atkins. Keith Fogg is also contesting the seat.

“It is with genuine disappointment that I reflect on the decision of one or two board members to disseminate a private, personnel issue beyond its appropriate bounds,” Bancroft said.

“This is turning into a political campaign nightmare which it should not be tonight,” Robinson cut in.

David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com

 

https://www.dailypress.com/2025/09/15/king-william-supervisor-censured-for-social-media-message/