The mother of a Hollywood toddler who was discovered dead after he was reported missing joined in a candlelight vigil Thursday at the home where the boy's body was found.
Karen Cypress, mother of Ahziya Osceola, was among dozens who joined in the vigil to honor the 3-year-old boy a week after his death.
"I know my baby is up there, he is loving this," Cypress said.
"I did this because it touched me with all the suffering and pain that this boy endured in the three years he was here, it's horrible," said Debbie Mann, who organized the vigil.
The vigil was held a day after Ahziya's stepmother, Analiz Osceola, and father, Nelson Osceola, were charged in his death.
Analiz Osceola, 24, is charged with aggravated manslaughter, child neglect and providing false information to law enforcement and remained jailed on $230,000 bond. Nelson Osceola, 25, is charged with child neglect and was released from jail Thursday morning after posting $50,000 bond.
Police said the boy died of blunt trauma. His badly bruised body was put in garbage bags and stuffed into a box and placed in the laundry room by his stepmother, police said.
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The boy was reported missing and a massive search was conducted before police found the boy's body in the home.
Ahziya Osceola lived with his father and stepmother and two siblings. On Monday, a judge ordered the siblings to stay with a relative.
"I just feel like everyone who lived there should be held accountable, for everything," Cypress said.
