Funeral Held For Auburn Toddler Who Died In Foster Care
MARLBORO (CBS) – An Auburn toddler who died while in foster care was laid to rest on Friday during a funeral service.
The funeral for 2-year-old Avalena Conway-Coxon, who died on Saturday, was held at a Marlboro church.
Related: Three DCF Workers Assigned To Auburn Foster Home Were Unlicensed
Conway-Coxon's family members set up a memorial across from the church prior to the funeral.
The family of Avalena Conway Coxon sets up a memorial near church where the 2 year old's funeral is being held. #wbz pic.twitter.com/BA2edXikyv
— Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) August 21, 2015
The memorial included flowers, candles, stuffed animals and pictures of the young girl.
Marian Brown, Avalena's great-grandmother, says she is still in disbelief.
"I just didn't spend any time with her and that's what hurts because she's my only great-granddaughter," she said.
That was a common lament among Avalena's biological kin. The toddler spent much of her life in foster care while her mother battled drug addiction.
Officials have not yet determined what led to Conway-Coxon's death.
A 22-month-old child was also taken from the home and rushed to a nearby hospital.
The Department of Children and Families told WBZ-TV on Friday that the second toddler remains in critical condition and officials continue to investigate what happened to the two foster children.
Despite an autopsy and three search warrants, investigators have not commented on what happened.
"That has nothing to do with any of us," says family friend, Billy Zilembo.
"Everything will happen, and everything will fall where it may."
No charges have been filed against the foster mom, while police look into the role she and her convicted-felon boyfriend may have played in the tragedy.
A woman with two children in foster care attended the funeral, upset about the lack of reform at DCF.
"All the government officials should have been here to see the burial of a 2-year-old," said the woman, who declined to give her name.
"This should never, ever happen again."
DCF counters, saying a social worker visited the toddler three days before her death and noted nothing awry.
The foster mother's family defended her, saying she is honest and caring.
But on Friday, the controversy took a back seat to a small white casket.
"I just think God wanted another little angel and that's the only way I can say (it)," Brown said.