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Biography of Boualy Mangsanghanh

Boualy Mangsanghanh was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and lived there until she was four years old. In 1990, her family moved to America, where they faced the daunting challenge of learning a new language and adapting to an often unwelcoming community. While her family worked on establishing stability, Boualy's emotional needs went largely unmet, leaving her without coping skills or trauma-informed resources. Survival was their primary focus.

At nine, Boualy met the father of her daughter, and they were together from ages 13 to 19. She had a child at 18, and by 19, she was arrested for aiding and abetting a murder in 2006.

Like many teenagers, Boualy naively believed that as long as she wasn't doing anything wrong, she wouldn't be affected by her surroundings. However, she later realized that the company we keep profoundly influences who we become. She believed she could save her ex and be the exception in his life. This misguided belief led her to dim her own light and ultimately lose herself in an unhealthy definition of love. The all-or-nothing mentality made her accept this loss.

During her time in prison, Boualy dedicated herself to education and personal growth. She attended college and participated in self-help groups like CODA, life scripting coaching, and the California Scared Straight program to develop foundational coping skills. These efforts helped her understand her past trauma and strengthen her family. Through this transformation, she emerged as a strong, independent woman capable of making positive decisions even in difficult circumstances.

Boualy's passion is to raise awareness about the choices that led her to prison. She emphasizes the importance of being mindful of the company one keeps, as even legal actions can have drastic consequences if influenced by the wrong people. Her experiences have fueled her commitment to guiding young people away from a similar path, helping them make better choices and avoid the pitfalls she faced.

Currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole (LWOP), Boualy continues to focus on making a positive impact. Her story is a testament to resilience and transformation, and she uses her experiences to educate and inspire others, hoping to save young people from living a life like hers. Today, she accepts her role in the crime, acknowledging that the problem was allowing dangerous individuals to be comfortable around her—a decision she takes full responsibility for.