SOUTH BEND â Family and friends of Grace Ross filled the entire back row of a St. Joseph County courtroom Monday, each wearing a purple shirt with a picture of the New Carlisle 6-year-old that says âForever missed but never forgotten.â
Members of Graceâs family were in probate court to hear whether court proceedings for the 14-year-old boy accused of molesting and killing the little girl will remain open to the public after the boyâs attorneys filed a motion to seal the proceedings last month, saying the high-profile nature of the case may introduce âprejudice.â
When they exited the St. Joseph County Juvenile Justice Center after the hearing, Graceâs family still did not have an answer, as Probate Court Magistrate Graham Polando said he would issue a ruling by Wednesday on whether the public will have access to the proceedings.