{"id":15883,"date":"2025-05-31T05:24:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T05:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=15883"},"modified":"2025-05-31T05:24:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T05:24:33","slug":"father-37-and-his-daughter-9-found-dead-in-a-car-at-brooklet-city-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=15883","title":{"rendered":"Father, 37, and His Daughter, 9, Found Dead in a Car at Brooklet City Park"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"306\">A trip meant to celebrate a birthday ended in unspeakable tragedy for a Georgia family when a little girl never arrived at her grandfather\u2019s celebration. Instead, she was found dead\u2014killed by the man who should have protected her\u2014leaving her loved ones grappling with the kind of grief words can\u2019t contain.<\/p><div class=\"fzsyb69f5baa261049\" ><div style=\"width:100%; max-width:1200px; margin:0 auto;\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/bolt-casino.com?r=0BFDBF1283\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    <img \n      src=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/f8693ebb-2018-480f-a2f7-0096810c07f0.jpg\" \n      alt=\"200% Deposit Bonus + 10% Cashback\" \n      style=\"width:100%; height:auto; display:block; border-radius:8px; cursor:pointer;\"\n    \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 1201px) {\r\n.fzsyb69f5baa261049 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px) {\r\n.fzsyb69f5baa261049 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 992px) {\r\n.fzsyb69f5baa261049 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) {\r\n.fzsyb69f5baa261049 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {\r\n.fzsyb69f5baa261049 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-3\">\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1761866\" data-uid=\"05bdc\">\n<div id=\"mgw1761866_05bdc\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"mgbox card-media\" data-template-type=\"container\">\n<div class=\"mgheader\">\n<p data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"555\">On May 28, 2025, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation released a statement confirming that it had joined the Brooklet Police Department in investigating a heartbreaking double death in Bulloch County. The incident had unfolded the previous evening.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedTwitter_embed-twitter-container__WCsCP\" data-testid=\"embed-twitter tweet\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered\"><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-0\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=true&amp;id=1927706424064217303&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.amomama.com%2F459255-father-37-and-his-daughter-9-found-dead.html&amp;sessionId=b830ed20dd762c7a05ea27ffa89502022c748844&amp;siteScreenName=amomama&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-tweet-id=\"1927706424064217303\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"\" data-origheight=\"\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"557\" data-end=\"827\">Around 7:45 p.m. on May 27, a call came in reporting an unresponsive child locked inside a car parked at Brooklet City Park. Officers from both the Brooklet Police Department and the Bulloch County Sheriff\u2019s Office responded immediately. What they found was devastating.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"557\" data-end=\"827\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31663 lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/dailypositive24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/d9f5b25843c3e9440a2da452b5505124226d95887fccc799e321e1d77d1c68d3.webp\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailypositive24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/d9f5b25843c3e9440a2da452b5505124226d95887fccc799e321e1d77d1c68d3.webp 992w, https:\/\/dailypositive24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/d9f5b25843c3e9440a2da452b5505124226d95887fccc799e321e1d77d1c68d3-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/dailypositive24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/d9f5b25843c3e9440a2da452b5505124226d95887fccc799e321e1d77d1c68d3-768x513.webp 768w\" alt=\"\" width=\"992\" height=\"662\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"1197\">Inside the car, they discovered a child in the backseat, lifeless, with an apparent gunshot wound. In the front seat was a man, also deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun was found resting on his lap. Authorities later identified the man as 37-year-old James Lee Mayo and the child as his nine-year-old daughter, Emily Grace Mayo.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedFacebook_embed-facebook-container__Q860l\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"fb-post fb_iframe_widget\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/courtney.badgett.9\/posts\/3945808672352540:609821268080692?mWidth=350&amp;mHeight=563&amp;dWidth=600&amp;dHeight=563\" data-testid=\"post\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/v14.0\/plugins\/post.php?app_id=493078077833106&amp;channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df0453b8e7b52f0bac%26domain%3Dnews.amomama.com%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fnews.amomama.com%252Fff7a1e530ee854aa0%26relation%3Dparent.parent&amp;container_width=600&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcourtney.badgett.9%2Fposts%2F3945808672352540%3A609821268080692%3FmWidth%3D350%26mHeight%3D563%26dWidth%3D600%26dHeight%3D563&amp;locale=en_US&amp;sdk=joey\" name=\"f843262d73bd71782\" width=\"1000px\" height=\"1000px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-testid=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"1000px\" data-origheight=\"1000px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1403\">Both bodies were transported to the GBI Medical Examiner\u2019s Office in Pooler for autopsies. But the investigation didn\u2019t end with the forensics\u2014it triggered a wave of grief, disbelief, and public mourning.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-6\"><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"1405\" data-end=\"1918\">Emily\u2019s aunt, Amber Healy, launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover memorial costs, initially hoping to raise $10,000. Within days, contributions had surged past $29,000. In the fundraiser\u2019s message, Amber described Emily as a bright, joyful soul with an infectious smile and a heart full of love. She adored dancing, singing, and playing outside. She loved animals, her cousins, Roblox, and being with her friends. \u201cWe loved her more than we could put into words,\u201d Amber wrote. \u201cThe world lost a huge light.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedTwitter_embed-twitter-container__WCsCP\" data-testid=\"embed-twitter tweet\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered\"><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=true&amp;id=1928180983636852822&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.amomama.com%2F459255-father-37-and-his-daughter-9-found-dead.html&amp;sessionId=b830ed20dd762c7a05ea27ffa89502022c748844&amp;siteScreenName=amomama&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-tweet-id=\"1928180983636852822\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"\" data-origheight=\"\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"1920\" data-end=\"2144\">Emily had been looking forward to entering the fourth grade. She had dreams, energy, and the sassy spark of a child destined to lead. But those dreams were cut short, not by accident, but by the hands of someone she trusted.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2146\" data-end=\"2566\">Amber later posted a raw update, expressing immense gratitude for the outpouring of support while addressing public confusion. She clarified that while media outlets continued to refer to the family by James Mayo\u2019s surname, Emily was not defined by his legacy. \u201cHe didn\u2019t deserve her,\u201d she wrote. \u201cHe was supposed to bring her home to celebrate my dad\u2019s birthday. Instead, he pulled into that park and took her from us.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\"><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedFacebook_embed-facebook-container__Q860l\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"fb-post fb_iframe_widget\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lindsey.leigh.596865\/posts\/pfbid02LmQKDQKPYCtFobCaf9fM4gHTKQouxcmG7YvPzrf2xd2DyHM8ibMkZmGtKRsFi7MMl?mWidth=350&amp;mHeight=634&amp;dWidth=600&amp;dHeight=627\" data-testid=\"post\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/v14.0\/plugins\/post.php?app_id=493078077833106&amp;channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df2c73fef6a79d113a%26domain%3Dnews.amomama.com%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fnews.amomama.com%252Fff7a1e530ee854aa0%26relation%3Dparent.parent&amp;container_width=600&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flindsey.leigh.596865%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02LmQKDQKPYCtFobCaf9fM4gHTKQouxcmG7YvPzrf2xd2DyHM8ibMkZmGtKRsFi7MMl%3FmWidth%3D350%26mHeight%3D634%26dWidth%3D600%26dHeight%3D627&amp;locale=en_US&amp;sdk=joey\" name=\"f9507c5e46e7a3f9b\" width=\"1000px\" height=\"1000px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-testid=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"1000px\" data-origheight=\"1000px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"2568\" data-end=\"2889\">In an emotional Facebook tribute, Amber posted photos of Emily throughout her life, from toddlerhood to her recent days, and reflected on the nightmare that unfolded in real time. She recalled being on the phone with her sister Courtney\u2014the child\u2019s mother\u2014as she discovered the car, the scene, and the horrifying reality.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2891\" data-end=\"3054\">\u201cI had to hold my 12-year-old daughter all night as she screamed for her cousin,\u201d Amber shared. \u201cThey were attached at the hip, even from hundreds of miles apart.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedFacebook_embed-facebook-container__Q860l\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"fb-post fb_iframe_widget\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=3327824927484254&amp;set=pb.100007703372475.-2207520000&amp;type=3&amp;mWidth=350&amp;mHeight=331&amp;dWidth=600&amp;dHeight=494\" data-testid=\"photo\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/v14.0\/plugins\/post.php?app_id=493078077833106&amp;channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Dfc50d3ad2f5c00ed5%26domain%3Dnews.amomama.com%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fnews.amomama.com%252Fff7a1e530ee854aa0%26relation%3Dparent.parent&amp;container_width=600&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D3327824927484254%26set%3Dpb.100007703372475.-2207520000%26type%3D3%26mWidth%3D350%26mHeight%3D331%26dWidth%3D600%26dHeight%3D494&amp;locale=en_US&amp;sdk=joey\" name=\"fe7a86cea7b84bcaa\" width=\"1000px\" height=\"1000px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-testid=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"1000px\" data-origheight=\"1000px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"3056\" data-end=\"3370\">Amber did not mourn James. She made that painfully clear. \u201cHe was selfish and evil,\u201d she wrote. \u201cWe do not mourn him. He is not missed. He alone is responsible.\u201d She emphasized that the family was now left to grapple with grief, disbelief, and the haunting absence of a girl who brought so much joy to their lives.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedFacebook_embed-facebook-container__Q860l\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"fb-post fb_iframe_widget\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=2844200239180061&amp;set=pb.100007703372475.-2207520000&amp;type=3&amp;mWidth=350&amp;mHeight=460&amp;dWidth=600&amp;dHeight=716\" data-testid=\"photo\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/v14.0\/plugins\/post.php?app_id=493078077833106&amp;channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df77e07e62190f2ac1%26domain%3Dnews.amomama.com%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fnews.amomama.com%252Fff7a1e530ee854aa0%26relation%3Dparent.parent&amp;container_width=600&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D2844200239180061%26set%3Dpb.100007703372475.-2207520000%26type%3D3%26mWidth%3D350%26mHeight%3D460%26dWidth%3D600%26dHeight%3D716&amp;locale=en_US&amp;sdk=joey\" name=\"f2e54bbd48d342cab\" width=\"1000px\" height=\"1000px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-testid=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"1000px\" data-origheight=\"1000px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"3372\" data-end=\"3972\">The impact of Emily\u2019s death reached beyond family. Her music teacher, Tasheina Canty-White, shared her heartbreak online, posting photos and memories of Emily in class. \u201cThis broke me,\u201d Tasheina wrote. She recalled a necklace Emily had made for her\u2014how the child\u2019s joy convinced her to pose for a photo, despite not feeling camera-ready. That necklace became more than a trinket\u2014it was a gift from a child whose light had now been extinguished. Just days earlier, Tasheina had watched Emily sing \u201cParty in the USA\u201d during a school karaoke session, not knowing it would be the last time she\u2019d see her.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3974\" data-end=\"4071\">\u201cShe was an angel,\u201d Tasheina wrote. \u201cShe left a mark on me, and I will carry her with me always.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedFacebook_embed-facebook-container__Q860l\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"fb-post fb_iframe_widget\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=3232134593719955&amp;set=pb.100007703372475.-2207520000&amp;type=3&amp;mWidth=350&amp;mHeight=570&amp;dWidth=600&amp;dHeight=902\" data-testid=\"photo\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/v14.0\/plugins\/post.php?app_id=493078077833106&amp;channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Dff6e503b394a6ac6e%26domain%3Dnews.amomama.com%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fnews.amomama.com%252Fff7a1e530ee854aa0%26relation%3Dparent.parent&amp;container_width=600&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D3232134593719955%26set%3Dpb.100007703372475.-2207520000%26type%3D3%26mWidth%3D350%26mHeight%3D570%26dWidth%3D600%26dHeight%3D902&amp;locale=en_US&amp;sdk=joey\" name=\"f3abcb2154bcde8e8\" width=\"1000px\" height=\"1000px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-testid=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"1000px\" data-origheight=\"1000px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"4073\" data-end=\"4523\">According to the obituary lovingly written by her aunt, Emily was born October 20, 2015, in Statesboro. She was a student at Brooklet Elementary School, remembered for her warmth, humor, and radiant personality. She made everyone feel welcome and could brighten any room. She had earned academic honors and was even awarded the \u201cFuture Influencer\u201d Award for her positivity and can-do spirit. Her favorite color was blue. Her favorite word was \u201cslay.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-7\"><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"4525\" data-end=\"4924\">She leaves behind a family shattered by her loss: her mother, Courtney Badgett; her younger sister, Addilyn Williams; her grandparents, Frank and Pam Badgett and Wayne and Carrie Mayo; her great-grandmother, Joby Snelling; her beloved aunts and uncles including Amber and Matthew Healy; and a long list of cousins, extended family, and dear friends. She is also survived by her pets, Tank and Ozzie.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedFacebook_embed-facebook-container__Q860l\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"fb-post fb_iframe_widget\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/healya\/posts\/pfbid0eTYN5f4r6JYCDyvSfCnvL1dgeiRPv98v51ZxdaX4vboqSMKaw7xSXNijgV6ycnAPl?_rdc=1&amp;_rdr=&amp;mWidth=350&amp;mHeight=584&amp;dWidth=600&amp;dHeight=754#\" data-testid=\"post\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/v14.0\/plugins\/post.php?app_id=493078077833106&amp;channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df2ccd93536a712150%26domain%3Dnews.amomama.com%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fnews.amomama.com%252Fff7a1e530ee854aa0%26relation%3Dparent.parent&amp;container_width=600&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhealya%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0eTYN5f4r6JYCDyvSfCnvL1dgeiRPv98v51ZxdaX4vboqSMKaw7xSXNijgV6ycnAPl%3F_rdc%3D1%26_rdr%3D%26mWidth%3D350%26mHeight%3D584%26dWidth%3D600%26dHeight%3D754%23&amp;locale=en_US&amp;sdk=joey\" name=\"f136256b1c1f557ac\" width=\"1000px\" height=\"1000px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-testid=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"1000px\" data-origheight=\"1000px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"4926\" data-end=\"5031\">Emily was preceded in death by her great-grandfather, Ron Snelling, and cousins Grayson and Gabriel Mayo.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5033\" data-end=\"5209\">Funeral arrangements are being handled by Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home &amp; Crematory in Statesboro. The community plans to hold a candlelight vigil in Brooklet Park to honor her.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Embed_wrapper__UQbow\">\n<div class=\"EmbedFacebook_embed-facebook-container__Q860l\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"fb-post fb_iframe_widget\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/courtney.badgett.9\/posts\/pfbid02pHWSuPmZfDFnCWBGHHqgBaXB4HR29JyAtmBPX7S3egsQNR7acQxj8VAmyi2oqs5ul?mWidth=350&amp;mHeight=294&amp;dWidth=600&amp;dHeight=498\" data-testid=\"post\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded\" title=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/v14.0\/plugins\/post.php?app_id=493078077833106&amp;channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df220447f64d9ebf78%26domain%3Dnews.amomama.com%26is_canvas%3Dfalse%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fnews.amomama.com%252Fff7a1e530ee854aa0%26relation%3Dparent.parent&amp;container_width=600&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcourtney.badgett.9%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02pHWSuPmZfDFnCWBGHHqgBaXB4HR29JyAtmBPX7S3egsQNR7acQxj8VAmyi2oqs5ul%3FmWidth%3D350%26mHeight%3D294%26dWidth%3D600%26dHeight%3D498&amp;locale=en_US&amp;sdk=joey\" name=\"fdaa61a01e7d34128\" width=\"1000px\" height=\"1000px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-testid=\"fb:post Facebook Social Plugin\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-rocket-lazyload=\"fitvidscompatible\" data-origwidth=\"1000px\" data-origheight=\"1000px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5266\">The GBI investigation into the tragedy remains ongoing.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5268\" data-end=\"5497\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text \u201chelp\u201d to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A trip meant to celebrate a birthday ended in unspeakable tragedy for a Georgia family when a little girl never arrived at her grandfather\u2019s celebration. Instead, she was found dead\u2014killed by the man who should have protected her\u2014leaving her loved ones grappling with the kind of grief words can\u2019t contain. On May 28, 2025, the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Father, 37, and His Daughter, 9, Found Dead in a Car at Brooklet City Park - VM News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=15883\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Father, 37, and His Daughter, 9, Found Dead in a Car at Brooklet City Park - VM News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A trip meant to celebrate a birthday ended in unspeakable tragedy for a Georgia family when a little girl never arrived at her grandfather\u2019s celebration. 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