A community in Wythe County gathered at sunset to remember a baby who tragically died and was found in a cave.
The vigil came together quickly on Facebook. Notices started going out yesterday, tonight they met to honor a newborn at the very place where it was found.
One by one they started file in off the East Lee Highway. Sheriff's deputies gave them a place to gather-- about 50 people came to light candles and remember a baby none of them ever knew.
"I came out yesterday to put my stuff out here at the cave," says Chris Gray. "Before I was able to get to the other side of the park here, I made up my mind I'd love to have some kind of gathering."
Katie Viars went to high school with Ashley Meadows, the mother accused of putting the newborn in the cave. Pregnant herself, she says the act is unimaginable.
"She had a baby shower planned and I bought her baby stuff," she says. "Just knowing that I have a baby girl, she had a baby girl... just feeling the baby kicking and everything how could somebody do that knowing the baby was in there."
Some left flowers, some sang, still others-- prayed. Thinking about how long the child had been there before being recovered.
"Just knowing that we're standing there at that cave where that baby was in there for two weeks, people driving by not even knowing that baby was in there," says Heather Rankin.
"Just to remember the baby," says Viars. "Just to remember that it's not right what happened."
Ashley Meadows' mother, Twila, is also charged with concealment of a body. Both are in jail without bond. Investigators still don't know if the baby was stillborn or put alive in the cave.
