KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Sunday night, the Bailey family and their friends were mourning the loss of little Lana-Leigh Bailey, but told FOX 4 News they are going to bed with a little closure.
Many people were heartbroken after law enforcement officials discovered the little girl’s body. But members on both sides of the family said it’s better this way. Now they can say their proper goodbyes.
At just 18-months-old, Lana had a way of touching so many lives. And over the past week, she has made her way into the hearts of total strangers who were all praying for her safe return.
Everything changed late Saturday night when authorities announced the discovery of a body they believed to be Lana’s.
Her grandparents told FOX 4 News they received a telephone call about 10:00 p.m. Saturday telling them about that discovery.
“It wasn’t long enough. Eighteen months seems like a long time, but it wasn’t long enough for us. We were cheated out of a lifetime with her,” Kelly Bailey, Lana’s second cousin, said.
Since Lana first disappeared along with her mother on May 3, the family wished more had been done sooner. With Lana’s body still not found, the family kept hoping it was a sign she was still alive
“I was going to hold out hope all the way up til they found her either alive or dead,” Bailey said.
But on Sunday, their feelings had changed toward closure.
“Our whole family was very upset, very upset. But we are at peace knowing that she can go and she was not just out there somewhere and we were still looking for her,” Bailey said.
“I’m still mad, but I am at peace because she was not just out there laying somewhere so I’m at peace now. And he (Flack) will get what he gets on Judgement Day when it’s his time,” she continued.
Funeral Service Announced
The parents of Kaylie Kathleen Smith (Kaylie Bailey), Lisa and Jim Smith and her extended family have planned a joint Celebration of Life service for Kaylie and her daughter Lana-Leigh at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory Street in Ottawa.
The visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. The service for Kaylie and Lana is scheduled 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16.
Anyone wishing to make a donation may send it to the mortuary made out to the “Kaylie Smith Memorial Fund.”
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