The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them. Lois McMaster Bujold
This memorial website was created to remember our dearest Amy Emily Annamunthodo who was born on May 7, 2002 and passed away on May 15, 2006. You will live forever in our memories and hearts.
A child Bruised,
A child Broken
Lost her childhood on earth
Gained it in Heaven.
Dreams, wishes
Birthday kisses
Love hugs
Now you receive them up above.
Justice Served
On March 1st, 2012 Emily's stepfather was found guilty of her murder. Newpaper reports on the trial will be added to her memorial page but please do not add them to the condolences or memories section. A seperate page has been made for it. At the top of this page there is a tab that says "Amy's custom pages". Click that, then the page that says "Justice for Emily". You will have to go to the first page. There you will find the newsheadlines leading up to the conviction.
Find Peace Angel. You received the justice we have been waiting so long for. We will never forget.
Her Life & Death
At only 8 months old, Emily’s parents seperated. Her mother began dating a new man, she barely saw her father and it was around there that the trouble began.
March 2004: Neighbors of Emily reported to Marabella police that the child was being beaten and tortured.
April 27th, 2004 Emily suffered a broken arm after being beaten. Examinations also revealed lesions of varying ages to her face, back, upper and lower limbs and buttocks, as well as swollen lips, infected right great toe and fractured right forearm bones. She also had a left squint.
Just after her third birthday Emily was returned to the hospital. She had "numerous scars about her face and torso in varied stages of healing”. She had a large swelling on her back, which was fluid-filled, in keeping with a hematoma or clot caused by blunt force trauma to her back. But on both occasions instead of being taken into protective custody. She was sent home.
May 2005-Emily was taken to the hospital but when she was healed no one came for her. September 5th, 2005, Emily was admitted to the Mother's Union Children's Home. While at the home, Emily was loved, cared for and began to show progress. It seemed she would make it.
November 2005: Emily's mother and grandmother apply for custody of Emily. December 22nd, 2005: Emily was sentenced to death when a judge granted custody back to her mother and grandmother January 23rd, 2006 Emily is taken home. The abuse resumes.
On one occasion, a neighbor of Emily’s witnessed as her stepfather pushed her down a flight of stairs. He heard Emily crying, he heard the stepfather yell at her to “get up” but he was afraid of the stepfather and did not report it.
Her neighbors admitted that Emily would be left at home alone late at night. They knew how much she was suffering.
May 15th, 2006 –After years of bruises, broken bones, torture and a life unloved, The abuse reached it’s peak. Late at night, her neighbours heard her screams which eventually faded then died. Emily was taken to the hospital but it was too late. She had been, sexually assaulted and strangled.
Her de-facto stepfather and mother were charged for her death. Her step-father was charged with her murder and assault. Her mother was charged with child neglect but charges were later dropped after her case was called continuously but the officer never came.
What if?
I know people always say, to let go of our “If Onlies” and our “What ifs?” but there were so many opportunities to make change in Emily’s life that I can’t help but wonder. What if her neighbour had listened and reported what he saw her stepfather do? And even if they hadn't listened, what if they had done more? What if that judge hadn’t placed her back with her mother? What if she had stayed in the Children's home where she was loved? What if her mother had stopped hiding what happened and instead chose to take her child out of that house? What if more people had reported the abuse?
And the biggest of them all, What if Emily hadn’t died?
AFuture Stolen
What if Emily hadn’t died? What would she have been when she got older? Emily should have started primary school by now but she will never walk though those doors. She should have been a happy, healthy little girl enjoying her childhood. She should have had someone, there to guide her and protect her. Someone to wipe away her tears and tell her everyday how much she is loved, adored and how much she means to us. She should have grown up, had children and started her own family. But no matter how much she should, she never would. She would never have friends in school. She would never see the Queens Park Savannah in bloom. She would never get to experience how much her home country has changed. A life taken so soon, too soon.
Child Abuse is real. It’s not something in fairy tales, or songs. It happens every day. Children cannot fight the real life monsters in their life, it’s our job as human beings with hearts to do it for them. We have to stop being silent and covering up. We must take a stand. We must continue the fight to stop child abuse. It’s too late to change what happened to Emily but let her story be a reminder to you, that we have to put an end to child abuse. For Emily, for the future of our children.
To Emily:
"I never held you, But I feel you You never spoke, But I hear you I never met you, But I miss you I never knew you, But I love you”
We failed you Emily, I know no amount of tears or prayers
can ever re-write or change what happened to you but remember
Baby Girl you are loved so much. I will never forget you Emily.
A very important video that must be shared.
Child Abuse Fact: Who are Child Abusers?
I'm Free
Don’t grieve for me,
for now I’m free
A friendship shared,
a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things
I too will miss.
Be not burdened
with times of sorrow,
I wish you
sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full,
I’ve savored much,
Good friends, good times,
a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time
seemed all too brief;
Don’t lengthen it now
with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts
and share with me,
God wanted me now;
He set me free.
Safely Home
I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief are over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder how I so calmly
Trod in the valley of the shade?
Oh! But Jesus’s love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus’s arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth,
You shall rest in Jesus’s land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home,
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!
Stops The Clock
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the messages, She Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
She was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
(Emily's story is one of the millions of other child abuse stories and cases, please visit this Youtube where there are other videos of children who have died from abuse, and common accidents. They all need our love and time)
