The family of Kiaya Campbell, the 10-year-old who went missing in early June and was later found dead, released a statement Saturday thanking law enforcement and emergency responders for their work and for the support the family received both here and across the nation.
“We would like to thank, from the bottom of our hearts, all those who have expressed their love and concern for the loss we are suffering,” the family’s statement read. “The outpouring of local community, statewide, and nationwide support has given us comfort and a greater belief in humanity.”
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Adams County District Attorney Dave Young said he will seek to prosecute the boy as an adult.
Along with thanking everyone who helped, the family also shared Kiaya’s speech at fifth-grade graduation this May, adding that they hope it shows “what an amazing intelligent young lady she was.”
Kiaya Campbell’s fifth-grade graduation speech
“Greetings fifth graders, family members, Board Directors, and amazing teachers. I wanted to thank all of you for making my stay here at Monarch great.
The four years I have been here I have felt loved and respected. Although I may seem like I’m speaking for myself, I am speaking for all the fifth graders. Here at Monarch, everyone is family. We may have our fights and arguments but at the end of the day, we all bleed red. We are all human.
I especially want to thank Mrs. J, Mrs. L and Ms. N for teaching me many helpful things. Mrs. J, I want to thank you for teaching me factors, multiplying, subtracting and adding factors. Mrs. N, thank you for teaching me grammar, writing, and division. Lastly, Mrs. L, I want to thank you for being like a friend to me.
I want to say to all of the families, if you have younger kids, let them know that anything is possible and they can accomplish anything as long as they try. Trying is the best thing anyone can do.”
The Denver Channel
Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil to celebrate the life of 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell.
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Police and investigators from Thornton and Adams County comb the Riverdale Park area where a young girl's body was found Friday, June 9, 2017. Ten-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing during a rainstorm Wednesday night and searches took place all day Thursday before the body was discovered in the early evening.
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Police and investigators from Thornton and Adams County comb the Riverdale Park area where a young girl's body was found Friday, June 9, 2017. Ten-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing during a rainstorm Wednesday night and searches took place all day Thursday before the body was discovered in the early evening.
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Police and investigators from Thornton and Adams County comb the Riverdale Park area where a young girl's body was found Friday, June 9, 2017. Ten-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing during a rainstorm Wednesday night and searches took place all day Thursday before the body was discovered in the early evening.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A Thornton police cruiser follows a member of the Jefferson County K-9 unit as they look for signs of missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
An FBI agent questions vehicles entering the neighborhood of missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thornton police officers and FBI agents question vehicles entering the neighborhood of missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Adams County sheriff deputies gather in the neighborhood of missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Campbell had been missing since late last night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Hundreds of people turned out at Skyview Elementary school to help in the search for missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Alayah Maestas, 9 and her little sister Aleis, 7, joined in with hundreds of people at Skyview Elementary school to help in the search for missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thornton police officers keep guard over the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Brooklyn Mitchell, 7 and her brother Ethan, 9 joined in with hundreds of people at Skyview Elementary school to help in the search for missing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thornton police officers keep guard over the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Two neighbors, who may have witnessed the body, are visibly shaken at the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thornton police officers keep guard over the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A couple, right, who may have witnessed the body, speak with Thornton officers at the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Thornton police officers keep guard over the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned neighbors watch the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court. Police have not verified if the body is that of Campbell's.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A Thornton police officer talks to a neighbor near the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned neighbors watch the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned neighbors watch as the Adams County coroner arrives at the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned neighbors watch the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned neighbors watch as the Adams County coroner arrives at the scene of where the body of a young girl has been found on June 8, 2017 in Thornton. Kiaya Campbell, 10, had been missing since late Wednesday night. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday police called off the search as a body of a young girl had been found in the Riverdale Park neighborhood at Monoco Way and Jasmine Court.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
Thornton police search in the area of Brantner Gulch where 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing Thursday, June 8, 2017.
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Thornton Police search in the area of Brantner Gulch where 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing Thursday, June 8, 2017.
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Thornton Police and members of Rampart Search and Rescue search in the area of Brantner Gulch where 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell went missing Thursday, June 8, 2017.
Steve Nehf,The Denver Post
Thornton police outside the home of Kiaya Campbell, a 10-year-old girl reported missing Wednesday night after being separated from a companion during a rainstorm.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
Neighbors of the family of Kiaya Campbell, a 10-year-old girl reported missing, search in the area of Fox Creek Thursday morning, June 8, 2017.
Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
Friends search for missing 10-year-old Thornton girl Kiaya Campbell at Fox Creek Thursday, June 8, 2017.
The Denver Channel
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Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil to celebrate the life of 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell.