SAN ANTONIO - The community came together to grieve one day after the Bexar County medical examiner ruled King Jay Davila's death a homicide.

  • Infant boy died in January, was reported missing, police discovered it was staged
  • Father claimed baby fell off bed, buried him in neighborhood field
  • Memorial included dove release in field, remained in a tree the remember of the service

The infant boy died in January after his father, Christopher Davila, told San Antonio police the boy hit the floor after falling off a bed. Originally, Davila told police his 8-month-old son had been kidnapped from a gas station but police later determined the incident to be staged by his cousin, Angie Torres.

Davila later led police to a field in his neighborhood where he buried King inside a backpack. Multiple family members have since been charged.

On Saturday, family and friends returned to the site to honor the baby's life following a church service at Christian World Worship Center. 

"None of us have been able to get closure and I can't imagine what the family must be feeling when I've never met this baby but today was a moment of closure and peace on their hearts," Jasmine McGill, a family advocate, said.

The afternoon of remembrance included a planting ceremony and dove release. One dove that symbolized Baby King flew directly above the spot where the infant was discovered and remained there during the ceremony.

"Everybody was in complete awe. I broke down I couldn't handle it," McGill said.

McGill said the family is overwhelmed by the support from community. With McGill's help the family hopes to turn Baby King's tragedy into action by doing deeds that make the city safer.

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