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'We know you're home': Serenity McKinney's father says he won't feel closure until everyone is held accountable in her death

Dozens showed up and showered the family with messages of hope on balloons, one week after the 4-year-old's body was found in a wooded area.

SHELBY COUNTY, Ky. — Dozens packed Clear Creek Park in Shelby County Sunday to honor Serenity McKinney, the 4-year-old girl whose disappearance and death made national headlines. 

Faith leaders and Serenity's father, 25-year-old DJ Roller, led the group in a prayer.

"I want to ask that you just take care of my baby girl," DJ said. "She's gone home too early." His voice started to tremble and break as he let others carry on the prayer. 

The words some couldn't find to speak, they wrote on balloons and let go. 

RELATED: 'It's gut-wrenchingly sad': Body of 4-year-old Serenity McKinney found in Kentucky, more than year after she was last seen alive

DJ wrote, "Baby girl we know you're home, and I can't wait to see you again." He kissed it twice and let it go. 

While he said it brought a bit of closure, he said, "I won't have my closure until everybody is fully held accountable that had a part in this."

Credit: WHAS-TV
Dozens in the community remember Serenity McKinney one week after her body was found.

For him, that includes more than Serenity's mother and her boyfriend who are both charged with murder.

As a father, he's thought through how things could have gone differently, what actions could have kept his child alive. He believes that CPS could have done more.

"The job description is right there in the damn name, Child Protective Services," he said.

Catherine McKinney, and her boyfriend, Dakota Hill, are due back in court on Wednesday, March 2.

RELATED: 'I'm not going to stop, I'm going to keep pushing until justice is served': Father of 4-year-old Serenity McKinney speaks out

RELATED: Serenity McKinney case timeline: Missing 4-year-old found dead in Kentucky

RELATED: 'It's gut-wrenchingly sad': Body of 4-year-old Serenity McKinney found in Kentucky, more than year after she was last seen alive

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