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1-year-old Shaylyn Ammerman laid to rest

Posted at 12:15 PM, Mar 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-31 00:11:51-04

SPENCER, Ind. -- The body of 1-year-old Shaylyn Ammerman was laid to rest Wednesday -- one week after she was taken from her father's home and murdered.

The toddler was found last Thursday in a rural area near Gosport, Indiana.

TIMELINE | The murder of Shaylyn Ammerman

Police arrested a family friend -- 22-year-old Kyle Parker -- on charges of rape and murder in connection with her death.

RELATED | Suspect charged with rape, murder, molestation in Shaylyn Ammerman case

Visitation for Shaylyn was held at the Christian Life Center in Spencer followed by the funeral service.

A private burial followed at Chambersville Cemetery in Spencer.

In an emotional interview, we spoke with a woman who is good friends with Shaylyn's family. She was trying to remember the smile that Shaylyn always wore.

"It's horrible. It's very, very horrible," Erikah Hubbard said. "We're slowly trying to get over this, and, you know, we can just slowly take it one day at a time. I understand how (Shaylyn's mother) feels, because I keep putting myself in her shoes and I can't even begin to grasp what she's going through. But as a mother, I understand."

MORE | Missing 1-year-old Shaylyn Ammerman found dead | 1-year-old missing from father's home in Spencer | Why no Amber Alert for Shaylyn Ammerman?

Others expressed similar difficulty with the funeral.

"Sick to my stomach literally to even think about it," said family friend Joshua Howerton. "I could barely bring myself to walk in. It's hard."

And for some, mourning boiled over into anger at the loss of a child so young.

"There is some tension in the air," said Brandon Kinsey. "You know, there is some things being said. I just let both sides know I'm not here for that."

Police were on hand to make sure any tensions didn't turn into violence. The funeral home held a private viewing for officers who helped search for Shaylyn.

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