CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – A candlelight vigil was held for 11-month-old Harlee Lewis on Wednesday.
Chesterfield County Sheriff, Jay Brooks, said Harlee’s first birthday was on Monday.
Harlee’s mother, 19-year-old Breanna Lewis, admitted to officers that she lied when she said she was assaulted, and that her daughter was abducted.
The child was found dead in a plastic bag inside of a diaper box by Chesterfield County officials last week.
Lewis is in jail on a $71,000 bond. She was charged with filing a false police report, unlawful disposal of human remains, and tampering and trying to hide evidence.
More than 100 people showed up to Harlee’s candlelight vigil.
Community members gathered in song and prayer to celebrate the life of the child.
“I had seen on Facebook a little girl was found in a box,”said Chesterfield resident, Janet Shaw. “And I came to pay my respects to her.”
Chesterfield County Sheriff, Jay Brooks, spoke at the vigil.
“I’m sure all of us wished we were gathering in celebration rather than mourning,” he said. “I am somehow ashamed to tell you that before May 29, 2018, I did not know that Harlee Lewis existed,” he continued. “I’m pretty sure most of you didn’t either. I sure wish that I had known her.”
Sheriff Brooks recalled the first day he heard Harlee’s name.
“My heart was in my throat, my stomach was in knots, my mind was racing a thousand miles an hour,” he told the crowd. “I was talking on two cell phones that are radio. In this line of work when a child is in danger, all of us respond.”
Sheriff Brooks said Harlee’s death has weighed heavy on the sheriff’s office.
“We all desperately hoped that out every effort would bring Harlee home safe to her mother, but that was not to be,” he said. “The most horrible outcome was God’s will.”
A poem was read by a member of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
“You’re one of Heaven’s angels now.
A perfect little star
And when you shine the world can see
How beautiful you are.
May you fly with magic wings
On clouds so soft and white,
May your heart be joyful
And your days be bathed in light.
And though our hearts are broken
And your life was far too short,
We thank you, sweetest angel,
For the happiness you brought.”
News13 spoke with Harlee’s God Mother who did not want to speak on camera.
She said Harlee often stayed at her home. Harlee’s God Mother said the child loved to play in water, and her favorite color was purple.
She told News13 that Breanna Lewis’ mother does not plan to bail her daughter out of jail.
Sheriff Brooks said Lewis has not yet had a mental evaluation. Brook’s said it is up to Lewis’ public defender to order an evaluation.
Brooks said he hopes to have Harlee’s autopsy results by June 8.