San Antonians are coming together to remember baby King Jay Davila, who was found Thursday evening wrapped in a blanket and stuffed into a backpack buried on the city's Northeast side.
A day after the body was discovered, Pastor Jimmy Robles welcomed community members to a vigil to remember King Jay.
"Every person here, and throughout the world as well, that has heard about King Jay has been impacted," Robles told KENS 5. "And I believe our city will never be the same."
More than 300 people showed up for the Friday night service. King Jay's maternal cousin, Adriana Gomez, thanked the community for their support during the vigil.
"We are honored in knowing that baby King has touched so many lives and that he has become San Antonio's baby," Gomez said. "Our heart is with baby King and with San Antonio, because we know that everyone is hurting too."
On Sunday, community members gathered where police found King Jay's body after his father, Christopher Davila, led them to the site. Riders United for Children hosted a balloon release so local residents could pay their respects and find closure.
Following Davila's arrest on Thursday, Chief William McManus said the police department's investigation was "just beginning."
The site has served as a growing makeshift memorial since the search ended. Community members have left toys, flowers and balloons in the area.
A date for a funeral has not been set, but Jasmine Gonzales, King Jay's mother, said it will be a private. Castle Ridge Funeral Home volunteered to pay for King Jay's ceremony, and the cost of the burial will be paid by Any Baby Can, a nonprofit that provides services for families of children with special needs.
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