Over a hundred people Saturday at Center Lake Park lit candles in honor of Adalin Stamper, 2, who was found murdered Nov. 11.
Christopher Grimmett, 29, admitted to beating the toddler to death, according to court records. Grimmett is currently being held in Kosciusko County Jail without bond.
“This is an absolutely senseless tragedy. There is nothing that child could of done to deserve what happened to her,” said Josie Ryan, the assistant club manager at American Legion Post 49, who organized the event. Ryan said she been close friends with Stamper’s mother, Katie.
She said the news of the murder shook the Legion to its core. “There was nothing to be said, but we knew we had to do something,” Ryan said. “She (Adalin) was just a wonderful, vibrant, happy chubby-cheeked little 2–year-old that warmed your heart and put a smile of your face.”
Ryan passed out candles and pictures of Adalin, and prayed for the family, the police working the case, the coroner and the community. “I hope I never have to do this again,” she said.
Katie Stamper said it meant the world to her that people showed support to her family.
“My Addie bear would have been so happy to see all these people come together for her,” Katie Stamper told the crowd.
The Legion will host a fundraiser for the Stamper family Saturday. The fundraiser will have a Texas Hold ’Em Poker tournament, a silent auction and a dinner. The poker tournament will begin at 10 a.m., with the silent auction at 4 p.m. and the spaghetti dinner at 5 p.m.
Items for the silent auction or cash donations can be dropped off at the Legion. All money will be used to help Katie and her daughter, Arabella, with financial needs resulting from the tragedy.
Ryan said they’ve already had to dedicate a room with all the donations the Legion has received so far.
Mark Stamper, Adalin’s grandfather, said Adalin would want to people to share love with the community, and thanked the community for its support..
In addition to the Legion benefit, the community raised over $11,000 on a GoFundMe account to help with the family financial needs.
“It shows this is a true community. When one of us is hurting, there is always someone to pick you up,” Ryan said.
