CLEARWATER, Fla. — Family and strangers attended the wake for 2-year-old Jordan Belliveau on Friday. The wake was held at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church in Clearwater.
Three ladies who attended the wake said they did not know the child, but they got the Amber Alert when police were searching for Jordan.
"I don't understand how that can even happen. That's so terrible. I just feel so sorry for him ever since they sent out an Amber Alert," said Tiffany McClendon.
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The 2-year-old's father was also in attendance. The family will lay him to rest on Saturday.
"It makes me want to hug my children tighter and it's supposed to bring the community together," said Tawana Chestine.
Jordan's mother, Charisse Stinson, initially told police he was abducted, triggering a statewide Amber Alert. Officers discovered the child's body in the woods earlier this month. Stinson has been arrested on murder charges.
"It just touched me. The child was so young. It just touched my heart. I have six kids of my own," said Chestine.
Miranda Hoffstetter created a petition with more than 10,000 signatures asking for changes to the child welfare system.
Related:
State Representative Chris Latvala wants to create a law in Jordan's memory.
"They need more caseworkers. The average caseload per caseworker is 24 cases. The optimal level is 10 cases per caseworker," said Representative Latvala.
The community hopes Jordan's story sparks change potentially saving other children who are in the same situation.
"Why would someone hurt an innocent child?" Chestine said.
Representative Latvala said he plans to introduce the bill to the Florida House in December.
