Vigil held in honor of Port Isabel baby presumed dead
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Both law enforcement and members of the community gathered outside a Port Isabel church Wednesday evening for a vigil honoring a baby presumed dead.
Authorities say baby Michael may have only lived for one day.
RELATED: Timeline of missing newborn in Cameron County
The baby's parents, Zachary D. De La Rosa and Susanne J. Pierce, were arrested March 18 on injury to a child and abuse of a corpse charges after a resident reported a child welfare concern to authorities.
Pierce was reportedly released from jail on Monday, according to Cameron County Precinct 1 Constable Norman Esquivel Jr.
De La Rosa remains behind bars.
One organizer of the vigil says the child is forever a part of the community.
“Individuals took a stand and said, ‘We got to report this to law enforcement,’” said Esquivel Jr. “They found the courage from within to report it, so I thank them for that.”
RELATED: Friend of missing newborn’s parents speaks out
Members of law enforcement made a strong showing of support, with Esquivel saying he believes the incident was criminal in nature.
“This is baby Michael, Malaki — we lift him up to the Lord. That’s what we’re here to do," Esquivel said. "We’re here to [honor the] memory of baby Michael-Malaki. This is the picture we that we have of him right here. We’re all going to hold in our memory forever of him.”
A moment of faith and reflection on a case with many questions still unanswered.
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