Vigil for 1-year-old honors his life as loved ones push for justice in his death

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of a 1-year-old boy and the Justice Coalition of Jacksonville gathered for a candlelight vigil to remember the toddler who lost his life this past spring.

Elijah Jackson was admitted to the Wolfson Children’s Hospital in April, where doctors discovered a list of internal and external injuries to his body. After he died, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigation led to the arrest of his mother, Cornelia Roberts and her boyfriend, Tracorvis Strictland.

Police said the two contributed to the child’s death.

Elijah’s grandmother, Elise Jackson, said she was horrified when she learned what happened to her grandson.

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“When I arrived, it was the most unimaginable sight you could see,” she said.

Jackson wants to know what her 1-year-old grandson could have done to warrant the alleged abuse and neglect that led to his death.

“Me and my son would like Elijah’s mother to explain to us. We are looking for an explanation from her,” she said.

While the folks attending the vigil remembered Elijah, they also said they wanted justice for him.