Community covers funeral expenses for 6-year-old S.C. girl

Neighbors continue outpouring for Faye Swetlik’s family
A police officer blocks a road near an entrance to the Churchill Heights neighborhood Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, in Cayce, S.C., where 6-year-old Faye Marie Swetlik recently went missing just after getting off a school bus. Hundreds of officers in Cayce, along with state police and FBI agents, are working around the clock to try to find Swetlik, who was last seen Monday, Cayce Public Safety Officer Sgt. Evan Antley reiterated Thursday. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Credit: Sean Rayford

Credit: Sean Rayford

A police officer blocks a road near an entrance to the Churchill Heights neighborhood Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, in Cayce, S.C., where 6-year-old Faye Marie Swetlik recently went missing just after getting off a school bus. Hundreds of officers in Cayce, along with state police and FBI agents, are working around the clock to try to find Swetlik, who was last seen Monday, Cayce Public Safety Officer Sgt. Evan Antley reiterated Thursday. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Faye Swetlik's funeral expenses will be covered by the funeral home, and the community is continuing to donate to the Swetlik family, according to WISTV.

Faye, 6, who was found dead near her neighborhood Thursday morning after a four-day search, disappeared from her yard after school on Feb. 10.

On Sunday, her body was transported to Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Lexington, South Carolina.

Authorities in South Carolina said they found the body of Faye Swetlik, a 6-year-old reported missing earlier this week, on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020.

Credit: WSOC-TV

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Credit: WSOC-TV

»NEW DETAILS: Neighbor reportedly linked to death of 6-year-old S.C. girl

Officials are investigating her death as a homicide. Neighbor Coty Taylor, 30, was found dead in his home minutes after authorities located Faye. He lived in Picadilly Square in Cayce, a few hundred feet from Faye’s home.

Neighbors report being terrified and wary in the wake of this discovery.

"It's heartbreaking and it's scary because even though they said we aren't in any danger, you can't feel safe right now. I have a 12-year-old that's scared to be outside. He was scared to go to his bedroom last night," a neighbor told the local news.

Even through heartbreak and fear, the community continues to show support for Faye’s mother and grandmother.

Authorities in South Carolina found the body of Faye Swetlik, 6, on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020.

Credit: WSOC-TV

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Credit: WSOC-TV

A vigil was held Saturday night in support of the Swetliks after Faye’s body was returned to the funeral home after her autopsy.

Both parents were reportedly in attendance. Hundreds left stuffed animals, lit candles and prayed for the family.

Even as it began to rain, people stayed to cover the memorial with a tarp.

Candlelight vigil for Faye Swetlik

Community gathers at Churchill Heights neighborhood for candlelight vigil for little Faye Swetlik >> http://bit.ly/2SMF8O9

Posted by WIS TV on Saturday, February 15, 2020

On top of the funeral expenses being covered, a friend started a GoFundMe account that had raised more than $6,000 as of Monday.

"The donations from this account will help in moving cost, paying bills, a down payment on a new place, possibly new furniture, gas, food, anything this family is going to need over the next several months...This family has suffered a horrible horrible tragedy and we don't want them [to] worry about anything other than grieving," says the fundraising page.

The friend described Faye as a “joyous, bubbly six-year-old” and credits that to her mother, Selena.

"Selena has struggled being a single mother, has worked multiple jobs to support Faye. It always amazed me the time she took to teach Faye to love and be kind to others. She was the kind of mother I strive to be everyday. This is why I have set up this fundraiser in hopes to help her and the family in their time of need."

Out of respect for the family, officials report that Faye's autopsy results will not be shared until Tuesday.

No funeral arrangements have been announced.