ARMANI PIERCE

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The body of a two-year-old was recovered from the Hillsborough River early Wednesday. The child had wandered off from his mother while at a Tampa Park.
Divers for the Tampa Police Department recovered the body of Armani Pierce early Wednesday. His mother, Ms. Alicia Saunders, reported him missing late Tuesday evening. The child, his mother, his 6-year-old brother and 4-year-old sister, had been at the Temple Crest Park, 8116 37th Street, North for football practice.
Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said parents at the park searched for the child for about 15 minutes before calling 9-1-1. Police obtained the child’s scent from his car seat and used blood hounds to track him.
The dogs alerted on his scent on a portion of the river bank. Divers located the child’s body in about 6 feet of water Wednesday morning, Chief Castor said.
“This is a very unfortunate accident for his parents, Carlos Pierce and Alicia Saunders. It is a very tragic accident and a parent’s worst nightmare,” she said.
Candlelight Vigil Planned
Armani and his family were attending the football practice of the Mighty Tampa Bay Ravens Youth Football and Cheer organization.
Jay Tillman, spokesman for the organization said the practice has been cancelled for (tonight) Wednesday and a candlelight vigil will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“We are going to present the family with a jersey to let them know that Armani will never be forgotten. He will always be an honorary Raven.”
Tillman said the team will collect a love offering for the family at the Candlelight Vigil. They will also have a moment of prayer before the 9 a.m., game at the Jackson Heights NFL YET Center when the Ravens play the Fair Oaks Rattlers.
To make contributions contact Tillman at (813) 965-5719.