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Advocates for new legislation are calling for a unified system among schools, law enforcement, and hospitals to monitor potential child abuse cases.
STILESVILLE, Ind. — The residents of Stilesville, Indiana, came together on Saturday for a heartfelt vigil to honor the memory of 11-year-old Oaklynn Vazquez, who tragically passed away in February.
Taking place at the Stilesville Christian Church, the vigil featured a candle-lighting ceremony to commemorate Vazquez. Her aunt, Victoria Jines, expressed that the candles symbolized the bright impact Oaklynn had on those around her.
Jines is advocating for the introduction of a law named after her niece, aimed at preventing abuse.
“Oaklynn’s Law stands for a promise,” Jines stated. “It is a promise to ensure safety, uphold accountability, and, most crucially, to demonstrate that even the smallest voice, like that of a child, can drive significant change.”
Vazquez died in her home, and her father and stepmother are charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
Ashley Cox helped organize the vigil and push for new legislation. She said there should be a shared system between police, hospitals and schools to track potential child abuse.
“No child should ever go through this,” Cox said. “A little girl was silenced, and we need to be the voice for her, and this happened in our backyard, and to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
Organizers said people from several surrounding communities came to the vigil.
“It’s very sad that the reason why it had to happen, but I love seeing everybody come out, and I thank every single one of them for being here tonight,” organizer Amber Cottey said.
Among the crowd, one color stood out.
“We’re remembering her with the orange ribbons of her birth month and just to help the community heal,” said Lisa Smith, who helped with the vigil.
“To my niece, Oaklynn, you are loved beyond words, and you will never be forgotten,” Jines said. “Through this law, your light will continue to shine in the lives of countless others.”
There are plans to create a park bench to memorialize Oaklynn.
Stilesville is approximately 30 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis.