Drive-thru memorial planned at Southwest Church for murdered baby

Southwest Church in Indian Wells is organizing a memorial service Saturday for a one-year-old baby girl killed allegedly at the hands of her father.

Police said Adam Slater, 49, repeatedly stabbed his wife Ashley Grome, 23, in the parking lot of Southwest Church last Thursday, before grabbing baby Madalyn and allegedly throwing her off a cliff up highway 74.

"He attacked her and had tried to stab her several times in the stomach and the throat," said Chris Grome, Ashley's uncle, speaking exclusively to News Channel 3.

Grome, who is 6 months pregnant, survived the attack. Slater is now in custody facing murder charges. He pleaded not guilty this week. The district attorney's office is considering the death penalty if he's convicted.

Tim Kuhl, executive pastor at Southwest Church, said although Grome is not a member of their church, they instantly knew they had to help.

"I mean, we were in shock," Kuhl said. "Hearts broken, minds confused. ... Trying to figure out how to help anybody in a time when you're supposed to say distant just felt compounded with grief through that time. Heartbroken for the mom, heartbroken for the girl."

Saturday evening starting at 7 p.m., Grome will stand in the parking lot of Southwest Church as members of the community are invited to drive by and deliver messages of love and support. You can bring flowers and/or a card to drop off.

"As cars enter our parking lot off of Fred Waring, they're basically going to make a loop on our campus," Kuhl said.

He said the memorial is meant as a show of socially distant encouragement for Grome and her family, as she works through her shock and grief.

"Our prayers are with her, our support is behind her in a lot of ways," Kuhl said. "I want her to know that she can do this, that moving from this moment forward that she can build a life that she can be grateful for and proud of."

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