Candlelight vigil planned at State Capitol for Wynter Cole-Smith

LANSING — A candlelight vigil for 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith, her parents and family is planned for Saturday evening at the State Capitol.

Lansing resident Mackenzie Winton organized the vigil as a way to remember the slain toddler and bring the community together.

"I know a lot of her family are from Detroit and in Lansing, and there was a lot of people here that care about her and I thought to her, we should bring them here in Lansing," Winton said. "I reached out to the family to make sure it's OK and they said 'yes.' Hoping they'll be there tomorrow."

The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Capitol steps. Wynter's father Almount Smith and his father will attend the vigil. Winton said she hadn't heard whether Wynter's mother, who was allegedly assaulted by Rashad Trice on Sunday, will attend.

A separate vigil is slated for 6 p.m. Friday at near First Church of the Redeemed, 9360 Van Dyke Ave. in Detroit.

Wynter was kidnapped late Sunday night after her mother was sexually assaulted and stabbed by an ex-boyfriend, police said. The girl's 1-year-old brother was not harmed. The suspect took the mother's car and fled with Wynter before being arrested in St. Clair Shores following a police chase. Trice currently faces 16 felony counts in connection with the attack and kidnapping.

Wynter's body was discovered Wednesday in a Detroit alley near Coleman A. Young International Airport.

Winton requested those attending Saturday's vigil wear purple in recognition of domestic violence, and because Wynter's dad said it was the girl's favorite color. A domestic violence survivors advocate is scheduled to speak at the event along with others, Winton confirmed.

"It is about baby Wynter, but it's about the mom and dad because they lost their kid and their families," she said. "The community is there for them."

Winton said those attending may make in-person financial donations to Wynter's father and paternal grandfather if they're unsure about making online donations.

The family said in a Facebook group that people should donate through the Dock Ellis Foundation, which focuses on assisting with minority missing persons cases across the country, by visiting DockEllisFoundation.com/donate, or via GoFundMe. The GoFundMe campaign has raised $1,980 of its target $50,000 as of press time. The family verified that is the only crowdfunding account set up for them.