A ballpark in Palm Bay is being renamed in honor of three children taken by tragedy last month.
The city decided unanimously to rename the ball field at West Oaks Park to "Angel's Field" in honor of Christopher Swist, 6 months old; Laci McCarty, 7; Philip McCarty, 6.
"The kids just loved to play ball. Little League was their thing," Christopher Swist’s grandfather, Stan Swist, told NBC affiliate WESH.
He said his son, Christopher Swist Sr., helped to coach Phillip and Laci.
“I don't think this is something you heal from. It's something you survive,” Stan said. “Obviously, I think anybody with kids can sympathize and feel a part of this and really just anybody in general. I mean this is something I don't how you can't feel over.”
A dedication for the victims will be held at the park next month.
The children's mother, Jessica Lacey McCarty 33, has been charged with three counts of murder in connection with the children's deaths.
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Police say that in March, McCarty tried to strangle Christopher and Philip and drown Laci. Philip and Laci died at the hospital the same day of the attack, while Christopher died two days later, police say.
According to the arrest warrant, prior to calling police, Jessica McCarty texted photographs showing blood throughout her home to Christopher's father, Chris, who also called police and then went to the home.
Police said they found an open journal belonging to Jessica McCarty on the dashboard of a car in her driveway. In it was a note that said, "To my family," and which she expressed remorse for her actions. Another page was addressed to Christopher's father, asking him to keep the child's name alive.
Palm Bay is roughly 75 miles southeast of Orlando.
