Jun 27, 2009 5:44 pm US/Central
Family, Friends Gather To Remember Jada Justice
EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (CBS) ―
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Jada Justice, 2
FBI Indianapolis
Family and friends of
Jada Justice gathered for a memorial on Saturday, the day after two people were arrested for her murder. And while the family was gripped by sorrow, they didn't dwell on her murder. As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, instead they focused on her short life.
Gathering at Tod Park in East Chicago, Jada's family talked about how a person so young could bring people from all backgrounds together. Blacks, Whites and Hispanics came together for her search. And today, they united once again, to remember her.
With the release of baby pink balloons into the air, came a celebration of Jada Justice's life.
"A 2-year-old girl changed a lot of people," said Jada's father Clarence Justice.
Her father says in her short time on earth, his daughter had a tremendous impact on so many.
"The lord sent her," Clarence said. "Told an angel to go down in the form of a 2-year-old girl and unloosen a lot of people's hearts. I really feel that. That's what the lord put on me this morning."
Jada's cousin,
Engelica Castillo and boyfriend Tim Tkachik, were charged with the murder of the girl they were babysitting. Prosecutors say the toddler was beaten to death.
The pair tried to conceal their crime by burning the child's body and encasing her in cement.
"I don't want nobody to have any kind of bitter feelings towards anybody, even on the other side of the family," Clarence said. "Because that's the work of the devil and he wants to divide us and go our separate ways and have their hearts hardened."
Jada's mother says she will never forget her last conversation with her daughter and what other parents should take away from it.
"She told me that she loved me, she got back on, 'I love you, mommy', and I told her, 'I love you,'" said Jada's mother Melissa Swiontek. "It makes me look at my kids in a different way. It makes me look at all kids and all family. That is something that needs to be said and showed all the time."
Jada's 10-year-old sister, speaking with wisdom well beyond her years, had this to say.
"Jada's not gone. She's right with us," Jada's sister said. "She's alive in our hearts and she'll be with us forever. Till we meet her back in heaven, she'll be with us."
Jada's family expressed their deepest thanks to all law enforcement and the city of Gary for their help in the case, and the kindness they received from total strangers.
They are still working out the toddler's funeral arrangements.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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