The community of Middletown, Ohio, gathered in a moment of solidarity to celebrate the life of 6-year-old James Hutchinson, who police say was killed, his body left in the Ohio River.
Cars lined the street and filled the parking lot outside Rosa Parks Elementary School as people filed Barnitz Stadium Tuesday night.
The vigil began shortly before 7 p.m. and featured tear-filled speeches from school administrators, teachers and spiritual leaders from the community.
"We find some comfort in knowing that while attending our school he felt safe and he was deeply loved," Rosa Parks Elementary Principal Tracy Neeley said.
James was described by the teachers who knew him as being a happy student who was always smiling.
"I know this has been a tough week," Superintendent Marlon Styles said. "I know we are all hurting."
But the vigil wasn't just about James' memory. It was also about healing as a community.
"We are heartbroken and there is a long road of healing ahead of us," Neeley said.
Police said they believe James' body was thrown in the Ohio River near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, on Saturday, Feb. 27.
He was last seen near Crawford Street in Middletown, police said. Search and rescue teams continue to look for James around the river.
James' mother, 29-year-old Brittany Gosney, and her boyfriend, 42-year-old James Hamilton, reported him missing at 10:16 a.m. Sunday to the Middletown Police Department lobby, police said.
Police said Gosney later admitted she tried to abandon all three of her children due to pressure from her boyfriend.
But James grabbed the door handle of the minivan and was dragged, police said. Gosney packed up her other kids and left the park, only returning later for James' body.
Gosney and Hamilton appeared in Middletown Municipal Court Monday in Butler County.
Gosney is charged with murder, gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
Hamilton is also charged with gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
Both are expected to appear in court again March 8 for a preliminary hearing. They are currently being detained in the city of Middletown's jail.
Source link
