Relatives of 3-year-old Emmanuel Ware lit candles Monday, as they put their grief on display at the south St. Louis intersection where police responded Friday afternoon.
Around 2:20 p.m., police say they received a call about a child hit by a car in the 2600 block of Rutger. Firefighters and paramedics found the the toddler, later identified by relatives as Emmanuel Ware, being carried by his mother, not conscious or breathing and with bruises all over his body.
He was taken to a hospital where he later died. None of the family has heard from Ware’s mother, Shanice Moore, since Friday. Ware’s relatives say they do not believe it was a hit-and-run as Moore has said.
“I’ve been crying since Friday,” said Emmanuel’s aunt, Lawanda Moore. “I can’t shed another tear.”
Some family members doubt a hit-and-run driver took the child’s life. Responding officers reported finding bruises on Emmanuel’s body.
The family said Emmanuel just celebrated his third birthday.
“A baby should never have to go through something like this,” said Emmanuel’s grandmother, Wanda Lee.
The department’s child abuse and homicide divisions began investigating. Emmanuel’s relatives who gathered Monday called on anyone with information about his death to contact authorities.
“I just want whatever happened to him to come to light and for him to get justice,” said Emmanuel’s aunt., Briana Moore.
“This leaves a big hole, you know, not just for me but everybody,” said Emmanuel’s uncle, Travion Lee. “And it should leave a big hole for the people who did it.”
Anyone with information about the child’s death can call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477 (TIPS).
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