White roses in hand, community pays respects to Barway Collins

There were songs, poems, prayers and many boxes of tissues Sunday at a vigil for Barway Collins at North Mississippi Regional Park — near where the 10-year-old was found in the river on April 11.

The community-organized event also was the first time the boy's birth mother, who lives in Liberia, spoke to the public.

"Thank you very much," Louise Karluah repeatedly said via speakerphone to a group of about 300 gathered at a park pavilion.

After the service, many from the crowd tossed white roses and rose petals into the Mississippi. Strangers consoled each other.

Penny Castano, part of a group of moms who organized searches for the boy, said Barway "caused her so much worry" and she was "desperate to find him." After meeting via Facebook, the mothers organized searches at the North Mississippi Regional Park, the last one on April 11.

"Looking out … it is apparent this boy is loved," Castano said through tears. "He has touched people through all walks of life in ways we could have never imagined."

Among the speakers was Tammi Keiser VanGrinsven, whose daughter was Barway's classmate.

Many people also attended another vigil held Saturday at Barway's apartment home. Pastor Harding Smith, the family's spokesman, said Barway's funeral would be held at Shiloh Temple in north Minneapolis on a date yet to be announced, and a wake would also occur at a yet-to-be-named Liberian church.

Leaders from the Liberian immigrant community are working to bring Karluah to Minnesota in time for Barway's funeral and wake.

Yamah Collins, the boy's stepmother, was absent Sunday.

Pierre Collins, Barway's father, is in jail on $2 million bail as he awaits trial for second-degree murder in connection with his son's death. Authorities have said a grand jury will be asked to look at evidence for a possible first-degree murder indictment.