Jan 14, 2006 9:27 pm US/Eastern
Nixzmary's Family Preparing To Bury An 'Angel'
Shock, Sorrow Still The Underlying Emotions In Bed-Stuy
by Tanya Rivero
BROOKLYN (CBS) ―
Nixzmary Brown's grieving grandmother and great-aunt went shopping Saturday for a dress and shoes in which to bury the 7-year-old, who allegedly died at the hands of her stepfather, Cesar Rodriguez, while her mother, Nixzalis Santiago, did nothing.
The girl's neighbors added to a makeshift memorial Saturday, outside the Bedford-Stuyvesant apartment building where authorities say the second-grader suffered on-going physical and sexual abuse, and where she was found dead on the floor Wednesday.
Caridad Ramos says her sister -- Nixzmary's grandmother -- is still in a state of shock.
"I believe she doesn't really believe what's happening right now," Ramos said. "I feel that whenever she gets to see reality, what's happening, that's when she's really going to break down on me, and it's going to be very hard on everybody."
Awilda Cordero, an advocate for the family, says the grandmother, Maria Gonzales, does not blame her daughter.
"We really think the mother was being abused also by this guy," said Cordero, the founder of Emergency Rights, an advocacy group for victims of violence. "She would lie about things because she was so scared for her life and her other five kids."
Cordero says Gonzales will fight for custody of all five children. And after the family has buried Nixzmary, Cordero says they may consider further action.
"We're laying the blame on ACS," Cordero said. "We think they failed."
Nixzmary's death has touched hearts across the city. When employees at a children's clothing store on Delancy Street heard whom the all-white outfit was for, everything was discounted.
"Since I heard about this news, I am so very sorry," said Alfa Diallo, an employee at Kidstop Clothing Store. "I, too, have children."
The family says there will be a viewing and memorial service Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday they will bury Nixzmary wearing her white dress, veil, and gloves, a full Communion outfit. As her great-aunt said as they purchased it, she will look like an angel.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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