Town Prepares To Honor Youngest Victims With Playground
By: Alexandra Sutter
Updated: September 2, 2012
EMINGTON, Ill. -- More than six months ago, a tragic murder-suicide left five people dead in Emington.
The small Livingston County town is preparing to remember the youngest victims.
A new playground now sits near the corner of South and Wabash Streets.
It's made up of a wooden swingset with rings for children to climb and play.
Volunteers rallied to build the playground in honor of 8-year-old Skyler Lemke, 7-year-old Ian Lemke, and 10-month-old Maggie Warren.
Authorities said their mother, Sara McMeen, killed them before murdering her boyfriend and turning the gun on herself.
Emington's mayor is hoping the playground helps people reflect and heal.
Daniel Delaney said, "It's been hard. It's been hard because Emington always had this, even when we were down, this go. And with that tragedy, like any tragedy anywhere, it's put kind of a stagnation of the town."
About 50 kids are expected to play on the new equipment. A dedication ceremony is set for Sept. 15.
