'Anthony was one of us': Edmonton church to hold vigil for deceased toddler
A north Edmonton church is holding a vigil in honour of a toddler found dead outside its doors.
The Good Shepherd Anglican Church will host a non denominational vigil Tuesday night in memory of 19-month-old Anthony Raine.
A passerby found the 19-month old's body, bundled up in a blanket and dressed in a Batman onesie, abandoned on the church grounds on Friday. Police say the body laid there unnoticed for three days.
The toddler's father, Joey Crier, 26, and Crier's girlfriend Tasha-Lee Mack, 25, are charged with second-degree murder, criminal negligence causing death, failure to provide the necessaries of life and assault. Crier is also charged with assault causing bodily harm.
At a news conference on Monday, Edmonton police said the boy's body was covered in bruises and that he died from head trauma.
'It's tough, it hurts'
"There were so many upset about this and hurt by this," said Reverend Neil Gordon, Dean of the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton.
"And now having heard ... that this boy suffered a terrible life, it just underlines all of that. We want to give people the opportunity to get together and do something to express their grief and, in some way, to mark that Anthony was one of us."
At a news conference on Monday, Edmonton Police Service Staff Sgt. Duane Hunter said the boy "suffered a lot of trauma" before his death.
"He was living a terrible life full of violence and one that is incredibly sad that you don't even want to speak about. Bruises all over his body and I will leave it at that," Hunter said.
Since the investigation became public, the church grounds have become the site of an unofficial vigil for the boy.
The area where Anthony was found is now filled with a cluster of condolence cards, fresh flowers, teddy bears and balloons.
The toddler's death has struck a nerve with parishioners and left many struggling to make sense of the tragedy, Gordon said. He hopes the services Tuesday can help them heal.
"I have children, many of my parishioners have grandchildren that are about the same age," he said. "We love our children, we work hard to raise them up and show our love to them, and I think that's a big big part of it.
"You look at a child and you're thinking about Anthony. So it's tough, it hurts."
A vigil will be held Tuesday night at the church, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Everyone is welcome to pray, smudge, light a candle, or just sit in silence during the service, Gordon said.
The church is located at the corner Castle Downs Road and 154th Avenue.
"The sense that you're not alone, that you're actually connecting with other people … that sense of connection with others goes a long way to getting over a tragedy like this," Gordon said.
"I think it's really important for people to have the chance to be able to do something and share their grief, and hopefully that will happen tonight."
