Bench Dedicated to Riley Ann Sawyers (Baby Grace)
It's been a year since Riley Ann Sawyer's young life was snuffed out. She became a household name throughout the country and, for that matter, around the world, as Baby Grace. Until she was identified, that was the name given to her by Galveston, Texas authorities.
Yesterday, I received an email from Barbie Tarr who spent a lot of time trying to help find Riley's identity.
I was so honored to be part of the bench dedication in Galveston on Thursday, July 24. It was such an emotional event, and so touching. We unveiled the bench that the "Circle of Friends" donated to the city, and presented plaques of appreciation to Texas Equusearch and to the City of Galveston and her residents. The "Circle of Friends" is a group of people that has come together online to support Sheryl and the Sawyers family during this tragedy, and in their continued fight against all child abuse.
You can watch a news report on the bench dedication here.
Yesterday, I received an email from Barbie Tarr who spent a lot of time trying to help find Riley's identity.
I was so honored to be part of the bench dedication in Galveston on Thursday, July 24. It was such an emotional event, and so touching. We unveiled the bench that the "Circle of Friends" donated to the city, and presented plaques of appreciation to Texas Equusearch and to the City of Galveston and her residents. The "Circle of Friends" is a group of people that has come together online to support Sheryl and the Sawyers family during this tragedy, and in their continued fight against all child abuse.
BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) made a great showing, with 40-50
members in attendance at the bench dedication. Tim Miller and Cheryl
Lawless of Texas Equusearch were there, along with many of their
volunteers. What an honor to meet them. They arranged for Sheryl and
Uncle Ray, my husband and I to go out to Riley's Island on Saturday.
Now that was an emotional experience. I don't even have the words to
describe the overwhelming feeling I got, standing at the cross that
Texas Equusearch placed at the exact place Riley was found.
The
trial is set for Nov. 3rd, and I will be there for the whole trial.
Sheryl and Riley's father will be there, along with other members of
the family possibly. I will keep you posted during that time, if you
want.
You can watch a news report on the bench dedication here.
What a beautiful tribute to such a tragic situation.
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SUCH A SAD STORY. BUT SHE IS AN ANGEL. WHAT AN AWESOME TRIBUTE.
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Thanks Holliston, for posting this. It was such an emotional experience. We plan on continuing this tradition, with more memorials for both Riley and other children. We are starting a new website, www.rileysgrace.org, in her memory. We will have info on how to combat child abuse, and hope to make a dent in this terrible battle. I'll keep you updated, and thank you so much for caring.
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Hey Holliston, I just stumbled across this~ Thank you for posting it. I still can't get over what has happen... How anyone could commit such an act. Thank you for being one of the few from the start to put her info out~ You were one of the few to give her a voice. God Bless, and thank you again
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This little girl's story completely destroyed me when I heard about it. My little girl is 3 days older than Riley and my 12 year old nephew was murdered in Sacramento, CA due to child abuse. Riley and my nephew Christopher Cejas had the same birthday which I did not know when I first read about this story.This past March 11th I wished Riley a happy 3rd birthday and my nephew would have been 18. My heart is still broken by my loss and when I look at my daughter I often think of Riley and wish she could be smiling and enjoying life like my daughter.
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