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Friends & family gather to remember Yucca Valley toddler

Published February 14, 2018 1:29 PM

Some Yucca Valley residents gathered to remember 1-year-old Parker Lee Tuesday evening.

“I just want everyone to remember him the way he was and I just want him to know that everyone misses him and loves him,” said Candice Belle, Parker’s cousin.

The night featured a moment of silence followed by a prayer.

Parker and his mother Karissa moved to Yucca Valley about a month ago. On Saturday, Karissa left Parker in the care of her boyfriend, 34-year-old Arthur Thomas Davies.

Parker ended up with a severed brain stem after an assault allegedly by Davies. Parker was declared brain dead Monday night.

Read: Yucca Valley man to face murder charges for killing of 1-year-old

Davies’ brother sent a statement on the incident, defending his brother:

We were close with Parker and spent many nights and the holidays as they stayed with us before they moved into the trailer, and are devastated with the loss of Parker. This has been very emotional for us.

Parker’s mother was not in attendance for the vigil as she stayed with him in the hospital, but around 50 people attended tonight’s vigil.

“It’s actually the worst thing I’ve ever had to go through in my life,” said Robin Belle, Parker’s grandmother. “I have so many family and friends that help me put this together last minute. wonderful daughters. we’re just truly grateful and I truly hope that they find the truth about what happened.”