Household, buddies maintain vigil for 3-year-old stabbed to demise in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed.

“Full of laughter,” Phalan Whitson mentioned. “She was always a happy baby.”

Whitson, Journei’s mom, instructed 8 Information Now she is going to all the time bear in mind her daughter as an attractive soul.

Whitson, Journei’s father Jeremy Ross, and different relations held a vigil Friday outdoors the condominium complicated the place she was discovered lifeless on March 26, close to Flamingo Highway and Japanese Avenue.

“This is all for Journei,” Ross mentioned. “You know, the journey continues.”

Family members lit candles, shed tears, and launched balloons whereas reciting “We love you Journei,” all to grieve a life taken earlier than it may actually begin.

Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed. (KLAS)Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed. (KLAS)Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed. (KLAS)Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed. (KLAS)Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed. (KLAS)Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed. (KLAS)Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed. (KLAS)

“It was amazing seeing her grow,” Whitson mentioned. “And I won’t be able to see that anymore.”

Marketta Phillips, 41, faces an open homicide cost. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division mentioned she stabbed the kid a number of occasions within the torso, legs, and neck, in keeping with police paperwork.

Phillips, who lived with Ross for a few 12 months, in keeping with paperwork, was allegedly watching Journei whereas her father was at work.

Phillips instructed detectives she “snapped” and wished to “get back at him,” an arrest report mentioned.

“That lady needs to be prosecuted,” Whitson mentioned Friday, talking on her hope for justice. “She needs to be prosecuted for what she did.”

Ross and several other household buddies additionally spoke on the significance of psychological well being.

Household and buddies gathered for a vigil Friday to honor 3-year-old Journei Ross every week after she was stabbed and killed. (KLAS)

“Talk with your loved ones, talk with your family, talk with your friends,” Ross mentioned to the group. “Because you never know what they might be going through.”

There was extra ache, shock and unhappiness than many may think about, however the individuals who knew Journei greatest imagine she is going to all the time be with them.

“She really impacted my life,” Whitson mentioned. “She made me strive to do better, she made me want to do that.”

Whitson instructed 8 Information Now she additionally plans to begin a non-profit group in honor of Journei.

Phillips is being held on the Clark County Detention Heart with out bail. Her subsequent court docket look is scheduled for Could 13.