Meanwhile, trash collection services in Cyril have been suspended as search efforts continue, Arbeitman said at a news conference Thursday.
“We are praying for her family and relatives and for the investigators who are looking for her,” she said.
On Saturday night, community members gathered at Cyril’s and held a vigil for Athena.
“The search for Athena continues until further notice; we will continue to hope for her return. Officials haven’t told us NOT to continue the search,” one of the organizers, Jamie Hood, told BuzzFeed News on Sunday. “We’re praying and hoping she’s OK.”
With Adams facing murder charges, questions and speculation are rampant about what happened to the girl.
“It was hard to see people saying she was dead when there was nothing like that from officials. We don’t want to miss an opportunity to possibly find her,” Hood said. “Our biggest hope is that someone has her and she will be found safe.”
Another organizer, Brooke Kelly, said she also hopes that Athena will be found alive and that volunteers will continue to search as authorities provide more information.
“Cyril’s community and the surrounding communities have come together in a way I’ve never seen before,” she told BuzzFeed News. “This little girl, Athena, has impacted thousands of lives and most people have never even met her. As for the staff, investigators and volunteers, they were nothing short of amazing. They all worked tirelessly and [are] still continues to search tirelessly.”
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