Sabrina Ray, goofy girl who loved life, finally laid to rest
Pictures adorning a small table in an Earlham church show a freckle-faced child who had big hopes and an even bigger smile.
But Sabrina Ray, whom family members described at a celebration of life service Sunday as a goofy girl with an infectious attitude, lived a life of turmoil -- at no fault of her own.
The 16-year-old was found dead May 12, 2017, weighing just 56 pounds. Medical examiners said her death was caused by severe malnutrition.
Her adoptive parents, Marc and Misty Ray, were charged with first-degree murder in the girl's untimely and tragic death. The Perry couple adopted Sabrina Ray in 2013.
Ever since Sabrina Ray's death, it's been a long and exhaustive monthslong battle over who gets the teenager's remains, which sat on a shelf at Hastings Funeral Home for months until the Iowa Department of Human Services gave the biological family permission to get them.
"I feel it took too long," said Tonya See Busch, Sabrina Ray's biological aunt. "She sat on a shelf for over a year, and it should have been taken care of right away."
Dozens of community members, including the first responders involved in the case, filed into Earlham Church of Christ in Madison County to pay their final respects to Sabrina Ray, whose starvation death has resulted in statewide reform regarding child abuse cases.
RELATED:
- Couple face first-degree murder charges in Sabrina Ray's death
- Adoptive parents of Sabrina Ray granted change of venue in murder trial
- vlog EXCLUSIVE: Teen who lived with Sabrina Ray details horrific abuse
- 'There's clearly a darkness in your heart': Sabrina Ray's adoptive brother sentenced
Sabrina Ray's father, Joseph Busch, wore a cross necklace with the engraving "Sabrina Rae Busch" and choked up while remembering his little girl.
"When I came home from work, she always gave me a hug and a kiss," Busch said. "I'll miss that. It's hard."
Family members said they want everyone to remember their beloved Sabrina Ray for who she was, a "funny, fun-loving girl that loved life," and not for the tragic circumstances that led to her death.
"She was just a special part of all of us, and when she died, a piece of us died," See Busch said.
After the service, Sabrina Ray was buried in Oakland Cemetery in De Soto next to her biological great grandmother and other family members.
Family members said the next step in getting justice for Sabrina is seeing the Rays convicted. Their trial begins in February.