'Horrific and Brutal Murder'
Jorelys Rivera, 7, was stabbed and sexually assaulted, GBI director Vernon Keenan said. An autopsy revealed she died of blunt force trauma. Officials have executed a search warrant on a vacant apartment where traces of what appears to be blood were found.
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Update 6:45 a.m. Wednesday
According to Darby Funeral Home, a public viewing is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, while a public service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Canton.
WSB-TV reported Tuesday night that Rivera's remains would be flown to Puerto Rico for burial after a private service for family members.
Stay tuned to canton-ga.patch.com for updates.
Update 11:05 p.m. Tuesday
According to WSB-TV, funeral arrangements have been set for Jorelys Rivera.
A public viewing is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Darby Funeral Home, while a public funeral service will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the same location.
Rivera's remains will be flown to Puerto Rico for burial after a private service for family members, Channel 2 reported.
Stay tuned to canton-ga.patch.com for updates.
Update 10:15 p.m. Tuesday
There will be just one vigil for Jorelys Rivera, and it will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Heritage Park.
Originally, there were two vigils planned, one on Wednesday at Heritage Park and another on Friday in front of the River Ridge apartment complex.
"Out of respect for the complex and as a request of the Canton Police Department's ongoing investigation, we moved it to Heritage Park," organizer Tina Ryan said. "The two vigils have been combined for Friday night."
For more information, go to http://www.facebook.com/events/146347572134229/.
Stay tuned to canton-ga.patch.com for updates.
Update 3:27 p.m. Tuesday
"A letter was sent home today with all Canton Elementary School students to inform parents of the death of first-grader Jorelys Rivera and the school’s response, which includes counseling for students," Cherokee County School District spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby said. "Additionally, when a Cherokee County School District student dies, the school administration is encouraged to involve students in planning any school-based memorial activities. Canton ES administrators have started preliminary talks with student delegates about how to show remembrance and respect for their late schoolmate. The first memorial activity planned is the display of pink and green ribbons outside the school later this week.
"The Cherokee County School District continues to cooperate with local and state law enforcement agencies relative to the ongoing investigation. The School District does not and will not comment on ongoing police investigations; accordingly, all questions in this regard should be directed to the Canton Police Department."
Open the PDF on this page to read the letter.
Stay tuned to canton-ga.patch.com for updates.
Update 3:23 p.m. Tuesday
Rumors of an arrest in the Jorelys Rivera case are not true, said Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
Stay tuned to canton-ga.patch.com for updates.
Original Report Below 11:08 a.m. Tuesday
Authorities have raised the reward in the case of Jorelys Rivera to $15,000. If you have any information that would lead to the arrest of her killer, call the new tip line number at 770-721-7852.
Stay tuned to canton-ga.patch.com for updates.
In This article
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Cherokee County Public Safety Building
150 Chattin Dr, Canton, GA -
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Heritage Park
508 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton, GA -
City of Canton Police Department
221 E Marietta St, Canton, GA -
Canton Elementary School
712 Marietta Hwy, Canton, GA -
Cherokee County School District Central Office Complex
111 Academy St, Canton, GA
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Darby Funeral Home
480 E Main St, Canton, GA
lisa mcmahan
7:27 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I hope they catch the mean person that did this and I want to be on the jury. It is a shame that as nice a place as Canton is that children can not play in their own neighborhood.
Theresa
8:02 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
As authorities are aware child abductions/disappearances are on the rise. I have been wanting to voice my thoughts for a long time regarding this topic. When a child goes missing everyone in the community should IMMEDIATELY actively out searching, investigating and inquiring to find the missing child. Child abductions/missing persons should be everyones concern. KEEP THE CHILDREN SAFE AT ALL COST.