Vigil takes place for New Castle toddler Iris Alfera
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (KDKA) - People gathered at Riverfront Park in New Castle Sunday night in honor of 18-month-old Iris Alfera as her sudden death rocked the community.
The family tells KDKA Iris had a brain bleed and was unresponsive when she was taken to the hospital Sunday, June 25, 2023. The incident occurred on Electric Street. They say she was on a court-ordered visitation at the time.
Alfera was first transported to UPMC Jameson Sunday afternoon, but a helicopter wasn't readily available. She was then transported to UPMC Children's Hospital, where she died on Thursday, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's report.
The family tells KDKA, "Our lives are shattered."
KDKA has reached out to the mother's lawyer but has not heard back.
Members of the community lit candles and released balloons at the park in Iris' memory.
"Today is about bringing the community together, and it's about trying to let this family heal from a horrific tragedy," relative and vigil organizer Lisa Joseph said. "When I had custody of my two grandchildren, her aunt was the very first one that came with a bag of clothes to help me out, and you have to give back at some point, and when it's something like this you have to do that, you have to reach out and show people they're still loved."
The New Castle police chief tells KDKA this remains an active criminal investigation. No charges have been filed. They are awaiting medical records from both the hospital and the coroner.