In Syracuse, New York, people who knew Nefertiti Harris and those who did not have the opportunity to are coming together on Thursday night for a vigil in remembrance of the 5-year-old girl. The field entrance where Nefertiti’s body was discovered buried on Tuesday is now adorned with teddy bears, candles, flowers, and balloons contributed by community members grieving the loss of another innocent young life.
Expressing sentiments at the vigil, attendee Tonya Collins shared, “I didn’t know Nefertiti personally, but she was one of the children in the community. It breaks my heart the way she had to die and that she was buried here.” Friends of Nefertiti’s family, like Andrew Mathis, are shocked and devastated by the situation, remarking, “The situation is simply astonishing. We’re shocked, especially given their status in the neighborhood. They are well-known. It’s heartbreaking, particularly for a young child, a defenseless child at that. It’s a challenging situation for everyone.”
While Nefertiti’s mother, Latasha Mott, who is currently facing charges of manslaughter and concealment of a corpse in connection to her daughter’s death, did not attend the vigil. Her own mother shared a statement expressing her anguish over the tragedy. The Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined Nefertiti’s death as a homicide, with the case set to be presented before a grand jury, potentially leading to changes in Mott’s charges.
During the gathering, attendees emphasized the importance of collectively celebrating Nefertiti’s life and recognizing her inherent worth. They also raised concerns about the broader societal shortcomings and failures of systems like Child Protective Services and social services that possibly failed Nefertiti and her mother.
One notable attendee was Niosha Smith, Nefertiti’s foster mother until she was almost two years old. While declining to speak on camera, Smith believed it was a mistake for Nefertiti’s mother to have regained custody of her.