ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. -- Local businesses have been recognized for their outreach as the community continues to mourn the loss of three-year old Mariah Woods.

On Wednesday, the Onslow County Sheriff's Office honored more than 20 local businesses that supported the search efforts by providing food and other services.

Some of those businesses included Subway, Starbucks, McDonald’s and Carolina Ale House.

Sheriff Hans Miller says it's their support that kept search crews going.

"This community stood together and provided food and drinks, which allowed us to to maintain the rapid pace of the search for the little girl,” said Sheriff Miller. ”If that had not been the case, we would have had to rotate people in and out."

Mariah Woods went missing from her home on Dawson Cabin Road in late November.

Her body was later discovered in a Pender County creek.

Earl Kimrey , the mother's live-in boyfriend, is charged with her murder.

RELATED: KIMREY PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN MARIAH WOODS' DEATH

If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

RELATED: DEATH PENALTY SOUGHT FOR MAN CHARGED IN MARIAH WOODS’ DEATH

 

DEATH PENALTY SOUGHT FOR MAN CHARGED IN MARIAH WOODS’ DEATH
DEATH PENALTY SOUGHT FOR MAN CHARGED IN MARIAH WOODS’ DEATH
DEATH PENALTY SOUGHT FOR MAN CHARGED IN MARIAH WOODS’ DEATH

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