LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Serenity McKinney, the 4 year old from Shelbyville who died at the hands of her mom and her boyfriend in 2021, would have turned 7 years old on Friday, Aug. 9. She died when she was 3 years old.
As a way to honor her memory, her family decided to raise money for the Exploited Children's Help Organization (ECHO) on Saturday.
Serenity was first reported missing in January 2022 after her family hadn't heard from her in months.
Kentucky State Police later discovered her body in a suitcase in Bullitt County and charged her mom, Catherine "Abby" McKinney, and her boyfriend, Dakota Hill, with murder.
Her paternal grandmother, Melody Roller, said the little girl was abused for some time before she died, but that she doesn't think she recognized the signs of abuse.
RELATED: Family members of Serenity McKinney say CPS 'needs to be held accountable for what they did'
That's why they're teaming up with ECHO, to raise awareness and raise money for the nonprofit dedicated to helping vulnerable children.
"These kids are human beings and they have the rights," she said. "We need to make sure that they are safe, they are comfortable and they know the difference between love and abuse. That's one of the reasons we teamed up with ECHO- that's what they do."
Saturday's memorial ride starts at noon in Finchville, Kentucky.
The group will then ride to Serenity's memorial in Bullitt County before heading to Mike Linnig's around 3 p.m.
The ride is free to join, and anyone can donate.
The money will go to prevent and reducing child abuse through education.
Catherine pleaded guilty to manslaughter, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Hill pleaded guilty to murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
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