Candlelight Vigil to Honor Victims of Crime

Published date

Friday, May 1, 2009

Tulare, Calif. (KMPH News) - Inside the Tulare home where 3-year old Natalynn Miller once lived there's a candle burning in her memory.

"If I live to be one hundred, I will never forget her," said Troy Miller, Natalynn's father.

Miller is inviting members of the community to light a candle in his daughter's honor on Saturday and to remember other children who lost their lives to violence.

"Being that it's going to be the last day of Victims of Violent Crime Awareness week we wanted to take the opportunity to have a candle light vigil," said Miller.

The toddler was killed in March. The boyfriend of Natalynn's mother, Ryan Jones is charged with her murder. Since Natalynn's passing her father has kept her room untouched and her stuffed animals still sit on her bed.

"What can I do, she's not here anymore I have to keep everything I had of hers," said Troy as he held back tears.

Surviving the loss of child is something no parent should ever have to go through and to help alleviate some of the burden Democratic Assembly Member Juan Arambula is helping raise awareness of the California Victims Compensation Program.

"What many folks do not know is that this program which is funded by those that are convicted of violent crimes is designed to help people when they need the help the most with loss of income, with funeral or burial expenses, anything they might need to get back on their feet," said Arambula.

Troy says he learned about the program through the Tulare County's District Attorney's office.

"It's been a big blessing during a really hard time, it's been something that has really helped us a lot," he said.

Now, Troy says it's his turn to advocate for those who can't speak for themselves including his youngest child.

There will a candle light vigil to remember Natalynn Miller and other victims of violent crime on Saturday May 2, 2009 from 8:00pm-10:00pm at Plaza Park located at 700 S. Plaza Street, Visalia.