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“It was just huge then. So many people donated. I promised Scott I would do it every year,” he said.
Kinsley’s mother, Rebekah Kinner, is serving an 11-year prison sentence for not coming to the aid of her daughter who was beaten to death by her boyfriend, Bradley Young. After a jury trial, Young was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Last year the toy drive was put on hold while the family continued to deal with the emotions from the court cases earlier in the year, Burton said.
“But it is back this year,” he said.
Toy donations can be dropped off through Dec. 23 at:
- Studio B, 530 E. State St., Suite B, in Trenton
- Fox Towing, 8741 N. Gilmore Road in Fairfield
- Huntington Bank at Bridgewater Falls, 3333 Hamilton Princeton Road in Fairfield Twp.
The toys will be delivered to area hospitals and other organizations that help children during the Christmas season, Burton said.
MORE: ‘Overwhelming’ response for nine Middletown children who found mother dead
Karla Edwards, Kinsley’s great-grandmother, said this time of year is always difficult and she is glad the toy drive will help remember the bubbly little girl.
“We didn’t have it last year, it was really hard. Scott is thinking about transferring his job to Kentucky, a fresh start,” she said. “I do think it is the right thing to make sure the toys go to children who have been abused and neglected.”
Edwards also wanted to help other children in need this Christmas and went to the Middletown police station Thursday with donations for the nine children who found their mother dead Wednesday night.
Burton said he wants Christmas with Kinsley to be about the happiness the little girl brought in her short life.
“I don’t want people to relive the tragedy, but remember her legacy,” he said.
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