A vigil was held Friday night in remembrance of baby Ariana Smyth, the little 2-year-old toddler who was allegedly raped and killed by her mother’s boyfriend. According to NJ.com , people turned up in large numbers to celebrate the short life of Ariana who died last week of horrific injuries allegedly inflicted by 22-year-old Michael Disporto Jr., a man who was said to be dating baby Ariana’s mother.
People took turns to write down their thoughts on index cards even as light rain continued to fall and smudge the ink on the cards. People were visibly upset over what had happened to the little girl. Some of the cards read as follows.
“Rest easy, sweet baby.”
“Peace, my beautiful girl.”
Baby Ariana was described by most of the attendees as a very happy baby who would be always seen smiling. According to them, she was almost never cranky and had the same smiling face from the moment she woke up in the morning until she went to sleep. According to her cousin, 16-year-old Destiny Hughes, the only time baby Ariana would cry was when she would get up in the middle of the night, asking for “Mimmie,” which is what she called a Minnie Mouse doll that they had at home. Several people had come for the vigil wearing bright blue shirts with Minnie Mouse ears drawn at the back
Man charged with murdering of 2-year old girl from #Gloucester City @cpsj #Michael Disporto Jr @USATODAY @Gannett pic.twitter.com/ax6G2wDVdm
— Jose F. Moreno (@jomoreno007) July 8, 2016
“She never fussed. She was just beautiful,” Destiny Hughes added after leaving a Hershey’s chocolate bar on a photo of Ariana that was signed by her family and friends. Hughes went on to add that had Ariana’s life not been tragically cut short, she would have grown up to to be an amazing person.
“Because she already had such a great personality. That personality would’ve followed her,” Hughes said.
According to Tawnya Hughes, who considered baby Ariana her granddaughter, the little girl’s favorite thing was to dance and clap. She was “TT” to baby Ariana.
“When she would dance, everybody would dance. She was my girl.”
Baby Ariana’s father, Rob, was planning a big celebration for her on her second birthday which would have been on July 15, sobbing relatives added. It was heartbreaking for most attendees who are now preparing for the little girl’s funeral. People who attended the vigil were also told about the ongoing GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the funeral of baby Ariana. So far, people have donated more than $7,000 for the little girl.
The description on the GoFundMe page read as follows.
“On Saturday evening Ariana’s father handed his daughter over to her mother and in less than 24 hours, she was in Cooper Trauma unit undergoing brain surgery and on life support! At 6:25 p.m. yesterday, her father had to make the hardest decision of his life to take his precious baby off of the machines that we’re keeping her alive. A few short days ago Rob (Ariana’s Father) was planning a 2nd birthday party (7/15) for his princess and now he is planning a funeral.”
It was just a day ago that the Inquisitrreported about the tragic story of baby Ariana, who was sexually assaulted, allegedly by her mother’s boyfriend of two weeks. The man, Charles Disporto Jr., has since then been charged with first degree murder and sexual assault of the toddler. Apart from Disporto, the child’s mother, a 26-year-old woman identified as 26-year-old Amber Bobo, has also been arrested for not doing enough to ensure the safety of her baby. She has been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Initial reports say that Amber did not make arrangements to ensure medical aid reached the child, even after seeing visible injuries and signs of abuse on her child’s body. In her defense, Amber told police officials in a statement that she was “talked out of” taking Ariana to a doctor by Disporto.
[Image via Amber Bobo/Facebook]