Newton County community holds vigil for Caliyah McNabb

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A small group of neighbors and strangers lit candles and prayed together Tuesday evening outside the home Caliyah McNabb shared with her family.

According to the Newton County Coroner, the 2-week-old died of blunt force trauma to the head.  Her death has been ruled a homicide.

"When I heard the trauma--blunt force--it was just, it made it worse. So, we know that baby suffered. We know without a doubt she wasn't sleeping and just passed on," said Chad Garrett who lead the vigil in prayer.

McNabb's mother, Courtney Bell, called 911 Saturday morning to report the baby missing.  Volunteers combed the woods near the family's home Sunday and discovered the 2-week-old's lifeless body left among the trees.

Most of the people who gathered at the vigil did not know McNabb or her family, but said her death has had a tremendous impact on everyone who lives in the area.

"She deserves to be remembered," said Linda Pace, who lives not far from the family in the Eagle Point Community. "She didn't have a chance, but she's with God now."

Caliyah's father, Chris McNabb, is being held in the Newton County Jail on unrelated charges, but investigators said he is a person of interest in the case.

Those who attended Tuesday's vigil asked the community to pray not just for Caliyah, but for the searchers who discovered her body and have had a hard time coping with the tragedy.

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