SAMATHA RUNNION - 5 yo - (2002) / Convicted: Alejandro Avila - Stanton CA

A decade without my daughter: Awe-inspiring courage of
Samantha Runnion's mother as she marks ten years since her child's rape
and murder

• Erin Runnion will throw a party to celebrate her daughter's life on July 26
  

By Emma Reynolds

PUBLISHED: 08:27 EST, 16 July 2012

UPDATED: 08:51 EST, 16 July 2012

It is ten years today since the story of five-year-old Samantha Runnion's rape and murder shook America.

On July 26, her devoted mother Erin will throw a huge party to celebrate
her lost daughter's 16th birthday with family and friends.

The pretty little girl was kidnapped from just outside her home in Stanton,
California, while playing with her best friend, less than two weeks
before she turned six.




Pain: Samantha Runnion, left, before she disappeared aged five and her mother Erin, right, today


Her mother's fear touched the nation's hearts as she pleaded for their help
in finding her daughter, and begged her abductor to return the child.

But Samantha's body was found by the side of a highway the next day, after she had been sexually assaulted and killed.

A devastated Mrs Runnion decided she would make it her mission to help
prevent crimes against children, and she set up non-profit organisation
The Joyful Child.

The foundation has helped countless other children
through its efforts to educate and empower, and Mrs Runnion is a
tireless advocate on behalf of strengthening the laws against child
predators.

Yesterday, she visited the desolate spot on Ortega Highway where her little girl's body was left after the murder.

Mrs Runnion toldFox LAthat she felt sad but, ironically, felt a measure of peace in knowing that 'Samantha's soul soared from her body here.'

The bereft mother became known across the world as she lived out every parent’s worst nightmare on live television.




Tragedy: Murderer Alejandro Avila, left, and Mrs Runnion with her husband Ken Donnelly at the funeral, right


Unlike the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping that occurred that same summer,
Samantha’s story did not have a happy ending and she joined the long
list of children who have disappeared from their family's live in the
most brutal of ways.

Days after her body was found, her murderer
Alejandro Avila, 27, was caught. He was put on trial, convicted of
murder, and sentenced to death.

Ten years later, Mrs Runnion
shows no signs of slowing down and The Joyful Child’s work includes
running a safety education course for children aged 5-12 and
coordinating law enforcement teams and parents who lead after-school or
community lessons.

The Joyful Child Foundation also hosts
the annual Samantha’s Pride Awards, in which they recognise honorees for
their local, regional, and national efforts to protect children against
crime.

The curly-haired girl, who signed off notes with the prescient words, ‘Be brave', will be remembered for how she lived.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2174321/Courage-Samantha-Runnions-mother-marks-10-years-childs-rape-murder.html#ixzz20naPnFLW