Couple Trying to Get a Headstone for Girl's Grave
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: May 4, 2012
EL PASO - It's been four years since the death of four-year-old Kianna Rudesill.
The little girl died from violent injuries she suffered while living at a foster care home in Livingston County.
A coroner's jury ruled the death a homicide and it's still being investigated, but no one has ever been charged.
"We feel like we have been getting the run around. What are they investigating anymore?" said Kianna's great-grandfather Wendell Rudesill.
He and his wife Evelyn both want justice for their great-granddaughter. But they also want her final resting place to be complete.
When Kianna was buried, she never received a headstone.
"The family didn't have a lot of money. It just never got done," Wendell said.
So he and Evelyn are now taking it upon themselves to make sure her grave gets a headstone. The couple is holding a garage sale Saturday.
Evelyn said, "Normally I would give all this stuff away, but I thought if I can help make money to go to her headstone I'm going to do it."
The couple lives on a fixed income, so they can't afford it on their own. They're hoping the sale will raise enough money for at least a down payment.
Then, they said they would find a way to pay for the rest.
"We're going to get her a headstone," Wendell said.
Evelyn added, "If we don't stick up for her, who will?"
Kianna is remembered as a bubbly girl who loved giving hugs and butterflies. It's possible the headstone will reflect those attributes, but the couple is not sure.
They're primary focus is getting the word out about the sale so their angel's grave has a permanent marking.
"This is to let her know she hasn't been forgotten. She'll never be forgotten. And she'll never walk alone because we'll walk with her," Evelyn said.
The sale will be held at the couple's house at 528 E. 2nd St. in El Paso. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Anyone is welcome.
The items won't have a price tag. People are encouraged to leave donations of any amount.
The little girl died from violent injuries she suffered while living at a foster care home in Livingston County.
A coroner's jury ruled the death a homicide and it's still being investigated, but no one has ever been charged.
"We feel like we have been getting the run around. What are they investigating anymore?" said Kianna's great-grandfather Wendell Rudesill.
He and his wife Evelyn both want justice for their great-granddaughter. But they also want her final resting place to be complete.
When Kianna was buried, she never received a headstone.
"The family didn't have a lot of money. It just never got done," Wendell said.
So he and Evelyn are now taking it upon themselves to make sure her grave gets a headstone. The couple is holding a garage sale Saturday.
Evelyn said, "Normally I would give all this stuff away, but I thought if I can help make money to go to her headstone I'm going to do it."
The couple lives on a fixed income, so they can't afford it on their own. They're hoping the sale will raise enough money for at least a down payment.
Then, they said they would find a way to pay for the rest.
"We're going to get her a headstone," Wendell said.
Evelyn added, "If we don't stick up for her, who will?"
Kianna is remembered as a bubbly girl who loved giving hugs and butterflies. It's possible the headstone will reflect those attributes, but the couple is not sure.
They're primary focus is getting the word out about the sale so their angel's grave has a permanent marking.
"This is to let her know she hasn't been forgotten. She'll never be forgotten. And she'll never walk alone because we'll walk with her," Evelyn said.
The sale will be held at the couple's house at 528 E. 2nd St. in El Paso. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Anyone is welcome.
The items won't have a price tag. People are encouraged to leave donations of any amount.
