11-year-old girl murdered in New Jersey laid to rest

KEANSBURG, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Family and friends gathered Monday to bid a final farewell at funeral services for an 11-year-old girl who was murdered in New Jersey.

AbbieGail Smith was found stabbed to death near her Keansburg apartment building on July 13, and an 18-year-old upstairs neighbor is charged in her death.

The victim's mother was surrounded by family members as they walked into St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, and many of AbbieGail's classmates also attended the services.

AbbieGail was remembered as an angel, and the sobbing was audible in the church.

She had moved with her family to the United States from her native Jamaica in 2007 and lived in Highlands before moving to Keansburg two years ago.

Her father and sister were not able to attend the funeral after being denied visas by the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica.

AbbieGail's father was deported from the U.S. on a drug charge 16 years ago.

Meanwhile, AbbieGail's loved ones are still looking for answers as to why she was so brutally murdered, as they said a sad goodbye to the child who was taken away way too soon.

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