By Mike Kinney
Hearts are heavy in the community, and particularly at the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP), over the tragic and horrific murder of a 5-week-old child last week.
On Wednesday night, local clergy gathered with mourners to pray and weep while clutching to lit candles and balloons in front of the Courtyard by Marriott in Richmond’s Hilltop neighborhood.
“Losing a life is always hard but a baby just feels so much more sacred,” GRIP Executive Director Kathleen Sullivan said. “We want to honor our ‘GRIP baby’ and be in prayer for the parents and the family.”Â
On Thursday, Feb. 4, a couple staying at the hotel, which is currently being used to house people struggling from homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, rushed their 5-week-old son to Kaiser Hospital in Richmond stating he was not breathing. The child died at the hospital, and his parents — RayRay Andrederral Darn, 35, and Marilyn Northington, 28 — were arrested on murder charges after the child was found to have suffered from severe physical injuries and was malnourished and dehydrated. A meth pipe and two butane lighters were found in the parents’ hotel room after a search.