Hundreds attend Kinsley Kinner’s visitation

Hundreds, most with toys in hand, attended a visitation Tuesday for a 2-year-old killed last week in Madison Twp.

Kinsley Kinner’s death, allegedly at the hands of Bradley Young, her mother’s boyfriend, has captured the attention of not only Butler County residents but those around the country via social media.

Young, 26, is charged with murder in the death of Kinsley and her mother, Rebecca Kinner, 23, is charged with permitting child abuse for allegedly doing nothing to stop Young from beating the child. They are both housed in the Butler County Jail.

In the wake of a tragic situation, Kinsley Kinner’s father, Scott Senft, chose to make Christmas brighter for other children by requesting toys be donated in his young daughter’s memory. A truck from the Clowns House shop was parked outside the church where toys were dropped off before entering the Vineyard Community Church.

John Pierson, owner of the Oxford State Road business, said they wanted to help with the “celebration of Kinsley’s life.”

A flatbed truck from A-Tech Towing in Lemon Twp. pulled up into the parking lot with an escort from Ohio State Troopers. It was filled with boxes of toys collected for several days from anyone in the community who wanted to donate.

Senft walked outside briefly and expressed his appreciation to the tow truck drivers and all in attendance for the toys.

Many who attended wore red, a favorite color of Kinsley and Minnie Mouse, the little girl’s favorite Disney character. Some showed their support with Justice for Kinsley T-shirts.

Vanessa Lipscomb of Hamilton donated a child’s bicycle. She also wore red for Kinsley.

“This really hits close to home,” said Lipscomb, who has children ages 6, 4 and 1.

Senft, who had a “Kinsley” tattoo with a Minnie Mouse bow on his forearm, stood beside his daughter’s tiny pink casket and greeted everyone. Some cried and just could not look at the little girl dressed in a jean jacket and wearing a camoflage baseball cap.

The room was filled with pictures of Kinsley smiling at all stages in her short life.

An hour before visitation began, Senft posted the following on Facebook:

“My last status before the visitation, I just wanna say thank you to everyone who’s been so supportive and also everyone coming today. It means a lot to me and everyone keeps asking what to wear, I want everyone to wear what u feel comfortable in, either something red or something nice or even your Kinsley shirts would be ok. Kinsley is lookin down right now at me and probably laughing because she knows I’m gonna cry, she knows her daddy never cries.”

Children were in tow with many who attended as a family. The young ones seemed to have the most effect on Senft.

“So many little ones. That’s good,” he said.

Shadia Halcorn and Kayla Wagner have been friends with Senft since their high school days in Franklin. Halcorn’s young daughter was wearing a Minnie Mouse outfit in honor of Kinsley.

“I think it has touched so many people because it is so tragic and what Scott is doing. Taking a bad situation and making something good come from it. I think helping other kids helps Scott keep going for her,” Halcorn said.

Funeral services for Kinsley will be Wednesday morning at the church at 4900 Ohio 123.

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