Allentown community gathers to remember 5-year-old Jayliel Vega
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- The Allentown community came together Sunday to remember 5-year-old Jayliel Vega, an autistic boy who was found dead two days after he went missing on New Year's Eve.
As a show of support, hundreds of family members, friends and people who never knew Jayliel walked across the Hamilton Bridge to the Lehigh Canal where the autistic boy's body was found on Saturday.
"It feels good to have support, but it hurts to know he's not here anymore," said Alyshia Vega, Jayliel's sister.
Vega says her family is devastated and ridden with guilt.
Police: Body of missing autistic boy, 5, in Allentown found in canal
Police said Jayliel was last seen around 11 p.m. Thursday, running from a relative's home barefoot and without a coat.
"I feel broken. I felt like I could have done better to help look for him," said Vega.
The boy's grandmother led the group in prayer.
His sisters say they're grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who searched for their brother over two days, and who now light candles and lay teddy bears at a growing memorial in his honor.
"He was an amazing kid, he was the best thing ever," said Vega.
