Members of the public gathered at Hudsonville’s Fair Haven Church to pay their respects.
Travis Byrnes, a church member and father-of-two, was so moved by the tragedy, he petitioned the court for custody of the remains of the baby – whom he named Grace – so he could give her a proper burial.
An autopsy determined Grace was full-term and born alive but drowned just a minute after birth.
Pamela Parm traveled from Cedar Springs with her sister, wanting Grace’s memory to be surrounded by love.
“Every baby should have that first mother's love, that first hug, that skin-to-skin. And I just, I wish I could have been there to help. “
For others, like Scott Glisson of Hudsonville, the service was a call to action to raise awareness of options for pregnant women.
“There are people out there that would love to care and love for their baby, and that this didn't have to be the way that this life ended, and that all lives are precious. So, we're just here supporting that.”
Glisson and his wife, Traci, have two children and are in the process of adopting another.
“We pray every night with our kids for the future baby that will be a part of our family, but we also pray for the birth mother, that she would know that she's loved, that she would know Jesus, that he loved her, and that there are people out there that want to not just love and care for the baby, but love and care for those birth mothers.”
Police continue to investigate the death.
A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
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