Group recognizes one year since Aliahna Lemmon's murder

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - One year after her life was taken in a brutal way, members of the community will gather Saturday evening to honor Aliahna Lemmon.

The nine-year-old Fort Wayne girl was murdered on December 22, 2011 by Michael Plumadore who was supposed to be caring for the child at the time.  Aliahna was reported missing the next day; her body was discovered on December 26.

Plumadore was sentenced to life in prison for the death.

On Saturday, a Facebook group dedicated to keeping Aliahna’s memory alive organized a candlelight vigil to take place at the girl’s elementary school.  Members of Wings of Innocence invited anyone interested in attending to Holland Elementary at 7:00 p.m.

“We feel that we cannot let this memory just fade away,” Karen Hughes of Wings of Innocence said. “This is something horrific that happened in our community and we need to do what we can to protect our children.

Organizers hoped to highlight positive memories of Aliahna’s life while surrounded by a garden created in her memory at the school located at 7000 Red Haw Drive.