Remembering Somer Renee Thompson - 1 Year On

The 19th October 2010 marked the first anniversary of Somer Thompson’s disappearance.  What began as a typical day exactly one year earlier turned into one of Clay County’s most tragic when the 7-year-old child went missing. The news triggered an intense, community-wide search that ended two days later when Somer’s body was discovered in a South Georgia landfill.

Since then, Jarred Harrell (25 years) who has a history of possessing child pornography, has been charged with Somer’s abduction and murder. He has been sitting in a Clay County jail since February when he was charged in the case. Harrell has pleaded not guilty, and is awaiting his next hearing scheduled for January 2011.

The 19th October could have been a day of gloom and doom under the circumstances, but the closely-knit community decided to celebrate Somer’s short life rather than focus on the tragedy of her loss.  About 400 children, teenagers and adults gathered on the Orange Park Junior High School campus on Tuesday night to remember Somer They lit candles and walked a quarter of a mile to a collection of memorabilia displayed outside the Thompson family’s Grove Park home.

The evening’s events included songs performed by Molly Hatchet and a purple balloon release - Somer’s favourite color - that prompted her mother to shout out regularly, "Justice for Somer!"  Between speakers, an onstage butterfly release brought smiles and created soft moments of levity with adults as well as children.

The people of Orange Park unified for a common purpose when Somer was missing. They clung to hope yet feared the worst. Now, Somer’s tragedy continues to pull the community together.  They have committed themselves to protecting children and raising awareness of predators.  That commitment has been fostered by Somer’s mother, Diena, who has made numerous TV and public appearances across the country on behalf of the Somer Thompson Foundation she established with Bobby Ingram who lives in Lake Asbury and is the lead guitarist for Southern rock band Molly Hatchett.  Within days of Somer’s abduction and murder, local mothers created a new group, called MAP (Moms Against Predators).

Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler summed up the message and mood of the vigil when he addressed the gathering:  "It’s time for these predators and monsters to start being afraid of us instead of us being afraid of them."  Everyone at the event (sponsored by the newly formed First Coast Neighborhood Watch ) erupted into shouts and applause.

Whilst the last year has clearly been painful for Diena, Somer’s mother, she has valued the enormous amount of support she has received for herself and her other three children. She took solace from the success of the anniversary event and said: “As long as we keep her name out there, I can make this foundation work. It’s something I have to do."

So those of us in the Find Madeleine forum support Diena, her family and the community of Orange Park by reminding you about Somer Renee Thompson.  A child who loved to hug everyone but was tragically lost far too soon.  May she rest in peace with the angels and may her name save other children and parents from a similar fate.

View Somer's thread on the Find Madeleine forum HERE!  

Further information about the Somer Thompson Foundation can be found at: http://www.somerthompsonfoundation.com/

Further links to MAP can be found at:  http://te-in.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48578133621