9-29-13 UPDATE: niece missing over 3 months, now "Home"

[Uwharrie]

So tragic. Hopefully justice will prevail. I cannot imagine how hard this has been for you and your family.

[Ham Radio Op]

Dona and Charlie,

Nancy and I continue to hold you in our prayers. Since, by the grace of God, we have not been involved in such a tragedy, we can not say we understand your pain. We can only hope/pray that the peace of God which does pass all understanding will carry you through this terrible loss.

[Sunline Fan]

So sorry to hear the final news, Dona. Hopefully the law will now finally put closure to it all.

[clueless campers]

The past few days have been busy.

On Saturday , it was revealed that Steven took a plea deal in exchange for telling where Elaina was hidden.

On Sunday, we held a prayer vigil at the courthouse and marched to the jail and back. The chant was changed from 'Bring Elaina Home' to 'Justice for Elaina'. I can't even guess how many attended, but there were a lot more than at the Friday night vigil. It was great when the inmates started chanting along with us as we passed the back of the jail and we could hear them, over our chanting, pounding the walls and windows when we passed the front (and we were loud!) We marched a total of 5 blocks and as we approached the final block, we could see people were still leaving the courthouse - we almost made a complete loop.

Monday, it was announced that DNA results were back, but that the media would not be informed until TPD spoke with the family Tuesday morning.

After learning that the remains are indeed Elaina's, the family met back at the vigil site Tuesday evening, as the community continued to bring stuffed animals, flowers, balloons, candles, cards and signs to leave on the porch of the abandoned house next door. It broke my heart to watch my 4-yr-old niece walk up the porch steps and gingerly walk among an area about 12 ft x 12 ft that was packed with stuffed animals, pick out a teddy bear and put the necklace she was wearing on it, saying 'That's for Elaina'.

A young man who helped in the search has organized a bake sale to be held Tuesday - Thursday to help raise money for funeral expenses and someone else is organizing a spaghetti dinner.

The church and a sister church are moving their Sunday services to the vigil site and sponsoring an appreciation dinner for the volunteers.

The trial of Steven (the boyfriend) was to begin this coming Monday, but today, he asked for and was granted another pretrial hearing to be held tomorrow morning.

The only charges so far are against Steven and Angela for obstructing justice but more are expected.

The autopsy is not yet complete and we're told it will be about a week to a week and a half before we know the cause of death or receive Elaina's remains.

Oops, this is the video that should have been linked to.

[janepete]

I can't imagine the grief you must have. Our prayers and sympathy are with you. I hope you can find comfort in the memories of the joy you had with Elaina.

[Anita1]

I am so sorry for your loss. May you find some peace in your memories.

[Anita1]

I'm crying for Elaina and you. Oh man.

Thanks for sharing the video. You guys did indeed "rock the jail."

[clueless campers]

Updated 9-24-13

The coroner has released Elaina's remains and her funeral will be Saturday. The COD is still unknown.

The fight for justice wages on with Angela to appear in court tomorrow and Steven has a pretrial hearing Thursday with a scheduled trial to begin Oct 7.

Baby Elaina to be laid to rest Saturday - ToledoNewsNow.com: News, Weather & Sports for Toledo, OH

Everyone's prayers throughout the past months have been appreciated and we realize Elaina is safe with Jesus where she will never again hurt, but...

[Gene]

Thanks for the update.

Prayers for you and family.

[ihsolutions]

Thought of you guys a couple weeks ago while passing through Oregon, OH and saw an older brown sedan with "Justice for Elaina" on the back window. Very sad... you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

[Anita1]

My thoughts will be with you and your family today and especially, on Saturday.

Anita

[clueless campers]

UPDATE 9-29-13
This weekend was definitely bittersweet as Elaina was laid to rest. Though she didn't come home to us in the way we had hoped and prayed for, she is now truly home and at peace. The following was posted a while ago on Facebook (you may want tissues nearby):

Help FIND Elaina Steinfurth
there are several videos loading right now, the entire service was recorded, the vids prob wont post until tomorrow morn or afternoon, the funeral was very emotional and powerful, The love and support was tremendous. The funeral was escorted by Oregon , Northwood and lake township police depts, they had blocked intersections for us, shut down the interstate, and gave us so much support, people along the roads stood at the curbs with signs for Elaina, signs posted in yards offering prayers and praying for justice, Balloons were released along the way by people as well. a gathering like never seen before, and to those that could not attend the entire service will be posted from inside the funeral home to the cemetery and along the way. all pics and vid clips were approved by the family and are being posted with utmost respect. Pics are bring posted now.

The service was very moving and I think the pastor chose the perfect delivery to bring smiles through our tears. The 'poem' my brother read was first written by me in July then rewritten this past Thursday. The comments to picture #13 in this post tell how it came to be.
I think the procession to the cemetery received as much attention as President O'Bama's trip to Toledo a few years ago. My mom rode with me and said when she looked in the side mirror, she could see headlights on back further than 2 overpasses! This precious child certainly brought the community together with over 700 visitors to the funeral home on Friday and it was SRO even using 2 parlors, a large lobby and the hallway for the services. The parking lot was full with overflow parking at a nearby church - and it was all for Elaina.
Now, we wait for the prosecutors and judges to hand down the justice Elaina deserves.