Rocky Boy holds candlelight vigil

A candlelight vigil was held in Rocky Boy in remembrance of Kaidynce Small, the 11-month-old child who died October 21.

The vigil was held on the last day of Child Abuse Awareness Month to raise awareness for the issue and to remember Kaidynce. Friday, Small's father, Garrett "Kirby" LaFromboise, was sentenced to 13 years and 4 months in prison for assaulting his son that night. LaFromboise's girlfriend, Cecelia Gardipee, is facing a murder trial June 23.

"This is to regroup after last week and come together in a positive way," Terrie Stump said.

Elaine Coffee said it was mostly family that gathered in the parking lot of the old Stone Child College to have a moment of silence for Small and place blue windmills on the fence bordering the road across the street from the old college.

"There's a lot of mixed emotions," Coffee said, citing the split in Rocky Boy between the families of LaFromboise and Jasmine Small. "It's just a day at a time."

Stump spoke to those gathered in the parking lot about her feeling on the situation.

"I know what happened was very tragic," Stump said. "If affected everyone in the community. I know there are a lot of things going on. I know there are a lot of things being said. Everyone is hurting."

Stump said it is important to keep children safe.

"The kids are only lent to us, and we have to make sure they go back when it's their time," Stump said.

Jasmine Small said some words about Kaidynce and thanked everyone for their support before a song was played in remembrance of the child.