HOUSTON — A public candlelight vigil was held for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray on Friday night.
The vigil was held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 12410 Kuykendahl Road.
During the vigil, family members announced that her funeral service would be held on June 27 at 1 p.m. at Earthman's Resthaven on I-45. Her burial will be held after the service.
Jocelyn was found dead in a north Houston creek early Monday. Franklin Peña, 26, and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, have been arrested and charged in connection with her death.
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Jocelyn's mother, Alexis Nungaray, was told about the arrests before the charges were made public.
Family, friends and community members gathered near where her body was found to honor Jocelyn.
"She was goofy. Had her own personality. One of a kind. Trendsetter. Loved, loved animals," Alexis said.
Many were wearing a "Forever 12" shirt because Jocelyn would never get to be a teenager.
"I was looking forward to seeing how beautiful she was going to be," Alexis said.
At the vigil, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite, Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers, Mattress Mack and other community members came together to support the family.
Although it was a night to honor the little girl, it was also a chance for everyone to join the call for the justice system to be tough on the suspects accused of killing her.
"We need to give them the punishment they deserve because my baby didn't deserve this," Alexis said.
She wishes she could give her daughter one more goodbye.
"I would give her the longest hug," Alexis said.
Also Friday, the family told Jocelyn's 5-year-old brother that his sister was in heaven. It was a difficult day for them.
Whitmire also announced that Mattress Mack was covering the funeral expenses for the little girl.
A GoFundMe.com account was set up on behalf of Jocelyn's family to help pay for expenses related to her death.
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