Community Honors Dead Baby Found Abandoned in Recycling Center
On August 28, the community of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, gathered at a funeral home and chapel to pay tribute to Gabriel James Doe, an infant discovered deceased at Millennium Recycling center earlier that month.
According to a report from Argus Leader, around 180 people attended the funeral, which was also streamed online, for Gabriel at Miller Funeral Home – Southside Chapel. Approximately 200 community members came to the preceding wake, which was held the day before.
The report also shared that tearful attendees wearing company T-shirts of Millennium Recycling were present at the service but chose not to comment. However, Argus Leader reported that a bouquet of wildflowers from the recycling center’s staff carried the message “We found you, and we loved you.”
The service was co-led by local Christian pastors and Rev. John Helmueller of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls.
The report highlighted the community’s strong support for the service, noting donations of flowers, a handmade outfit for Gabriel, and Sioux Falls police officers who carried the small casket from the ceremony to the hearse for burial at the Hills of Rest Cemetery.
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Jessica Remme, founder of the Oaklyn Foundation, which supports families dealing with infant loss, contributed to the funeral expenses, according to Argus Leader. The foundation was established in memory of her baby daughter, who passed away in 2018.
Funeral Director Matthew Koball had asked Jessica and her husband Travis to name the baby. According to the Argus Leader, Jessica Remme stated, “Travis and I sat down and read some scripture, and Gabriel James spoke to us, and it was an absolute honor being able to give him a name.”
The Argus Leader report also stated that the Sioux Falls Police Department is still investigating the circumstances surrounding Gabriel’s death, with no new updates reported.
LifeNews Note: Rachel Quackenbush writes for CatholicVote, where this column originally appeared.File photo.
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