Kansas City, MO, April 08, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- On Saturday, April 25, 2009, the Precious Doe Memorial Committee in partnership with the Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation Department will hold a unity march, an hour of prayer for our missing, abused and unidentified children and dedication of the Precious Doe Memorial Park. The Committee has commissioned local sculpture artist, Mary Lynn Swafford, to create a memorial statue to honor Erica, while at the same time providing hope for other children. The event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Missouri Water Services Department Parking facilities at 4800 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO. The march will conclude with the dedication of the Precious Doe Memorial Park at 59th and Kensington.
The date April 25, 2009, is significant because it is almost eight years to the date Erica Green, "Precious Doe" was found at 59th and Kensington, Kansas City, MO. In addition, it is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to bring awareness to the importance of reporting and preventing child abuse.
On April 28, 2001, the dismembered body of a small child was found at 59th and Kensington. The identity of the child was unknown for four years. Law enforcement and the community worked tirelessly to seek justice for the unknown child. During that time, the community embraced the child and named her "Precious Doe". Finally in 2005, Precious Doe was identified as Erica Green. In 2005, then Jackson County Prosecutor Mike Sanders charged her mother, Michelle Johnson, and her step-father, Harrell Johnson, with the Murder of Erica Green. Michelle Johnson pled guilty to Felony Murder. Jackson County Prosecutor Jim Kanatzar successfully convicted Harrell Johnson of 1st degree murder after a jury trial. Harrell Johnson is serving life without the possibility of parole. Tim Dollar, of Dollar, Burns & Becker, L.C.,
http://www.dollar-law.com, Assistant Prosecutor in the case and co-chair of the event said, "I believe the best way to honor Erica Green is to use her story to raise awareness of child abuse. We must provide a voice for those who have none; to ensure tragedies like this don't happen again."
The Precious Doe Memorial Committee was formed to honor Erica Green and to make sure every effort is made to prevent such child abuse tragedies in the future. Alvin Brooks a member of the committee and co-chair of the event stated, "That approximately eight years after the body of a small child, known as "Precious Doe" was discovered, the community unites to honor her memory. The area of 59th and Kensington will now be a park for children to play; a symbol of community, joy and hope."
To sign up for the Precious Doe Memorial Community Day of Events go to
www.preciousdoe.org.
SCHEDULE OF COMMUNITY EVENTS
DATE: April 25, 2009
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION:
Unity March Begins at Missouri Water Services Department
4800 East 63rd Street / Kansas City, MO
March Concludes at Precious Doe Memorial Park
59th & Kensington / Kansas City, MO
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