GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Hundreds came together Wednesday night at an outdoor arena in Gaston County for a candlelight vigil to remember Jordyn Dumont.
Investigators found the 3-year-old's remains Tuesday near her Gaston County home and charged her mother's boyfriend with her killing.
PHOTOS: Vigil held for Jordyn
The prayer vigil was led by an area pastor who focused on preaching about unity.
Jordyn's father, Josh Kinnett, who lives in Illinois, was in attendance.
MASSIVE turnout for Jordyn Dumont. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/LIUUJLTnFW
— Alexa Ashwell (@AlexaAshwell) August 18, 2016
He said the unity and support is giving him the strength he needs right now.
“I'm really just at a loss for words right now,” Kinnett said. “I'm just so overwhelmed by all the support and the care and love that everybody has."
Read more on our coverage:
- Family, community to gather in honor of slain Gaston Co. toddler
- Neighbors say Gaston Co. toddler found dead lived in abusive home
Man charged in 3-year-old's slaying called 911 to report her missing
Police have released the 911 call in connection to the death of Gaston County 3-year-old girl.
The call was placed by her mother’s boyfriend, William "Billy" McCullen, who is now charged with Jordyn Dumont’s murder.
In the call, McCullen told the dispatcher that he fell asleep and when he woke up the little girl was gone.
Jordyn’s remains were found Tuesday near the home where she was reported missing Monday afternoon.
McCullen told Eyewitness News reporter Alexa Ashwell on Monday that the disappearance of the girl was “like a bad dream.”
Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell said Jordyn's remains were partially concealed.
McCullen was charged just a couple hours after her remains were found. He made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
McCullen didn’t argue when Bell asked that he be held without bond, and he said very little in court.
Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon spoke with Josh Kinnett, Jordyn’s father, who said he wants justice for his daughter.
Kinnet said he needs to hear more from either McCullen or police.
The entire hearing Wednesday lasted just one minute.
“I understand, no bond,” McCullen said to the judge.
Bell told Lemon that the little girl’s body was wrapped in a sheet.
“It’s heartbreaking. It bothered me last night,” Bell said.
Bell wouldn't say how she was killed or the condition of her body.
Those are the answers that Kinnet wants.
"How could this have happened?” he asked.
Kinnett cried and showed Lemon pictures from a book he keeps with him.
The photos are of him and his daughter together in South Dakota before her mother moved away. He last talked to her by phone two months ago.
"She just said 'Hi' and I said 'I miss you and I love you,'" Kinnet said.
He drove from Illinois when police called to tell him his daughter was missing. He was an hour away when they called again to say she was found dead. He continued the drive.
“(I hope) that we get justice for Jordyn and find out what happened to her,” Kinnet said.
Bell has already completed the paperwork asking the grand jury to indict for first-degree murder.
The grand jury meets on Monday and he hopes to have the indictment approved by the end of the day.
Cox Media Group