Even in the most tragic and desperate of situations, the human spirit can surprise you. A 10 year-old girl named Hailey Owens was kidnapped and murdered in Springfield, Missouri. When she was taken, a neighbor tried to follow the kidnapper after calling the police but the murderer escaped. Police found the terrible person responsible for this crime three hours later, but it was already too late to save the little girl. Her death has been mourned by the entire community, so when the Westboro Baptist Church wanted to picket her wake, they received a response they never expected.
This is how the town came together for Hayley.
Hayley's life was stolen from her by a twisted man, and Westboro wanted to use her death for their own agenda.
Nearly 10,000 people showed up to show support for Hayley and her family.
The town prayed for the little girl during a candlelit vigil and showed her family love and respect.
It is rumored that Westboro attempted to picket her wake because they blamed her death on Mizzou allowing gay athletes to play.
When it came down to it, the people with messages of love greatly outnumbered those evil people trying to picket her wake.
What happened to Hailey is a tragedy and no one should use such a crime for their own protests.
What this town did was amazing.
There are monstrous people in this world that do nothing but spread loss and pain. However, it's incredible to see the genuine love and kindness of strangers that still exist in the face of evil. At the vigil, a singer performed "Amazing Grace." Mayor Seifried called for a moment of silence in memory of Hailey Owens and then concluded the event with a reading from the Bible. What the Westboro Baptist Church attempted to do was sick, but what Springfield did was so loving. Source: KY3 & Reddit Share what this town did to remember an innocent little girl.