Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sam Penrod reportingResidents who live in the apartment complex where 7-year-old Hser Nay Moo died, gathered with community leaders Thursday night. It had been 48 hours since neighbors learned the girl was murdered inside their apartment complex. It's caused concern and fear for the families because most of them are new to the United States.
Most of the families have young children who are used to playing outside, but the events of this week have parents watching them very closely. Thursday night police tried to offer some reassurance.
Young children sat close to their parents as moms, dads and children of all ages deal with the brutal murder of Hser Nay Moo.
South Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Snyder said, "This has obviously been very emotional, very frightening. You have parents of different nationalities trying to explain to their kids what happened, and it's a difficult thing, it's a difficult thing for any parent to do."
Those who live in the apartments comprise a melting pot of refugees, requiring the meeting to be translated into seven languages. The message was that parents and children should not be scared, only aware of the dangers that can exist.
"All we are trying to accomplish tonight is to alleviate some of that fear, to educate these families on what they can do to keep their kids safe, and hopefully bring some unity inside that complex," Chief Snyder said.
Police provided child ID kits and gave information on resources to help protect children. But for the police chief, the tragic events of Hser Nay Moo's disappearance and murder are something for all of us to consider.
"We're neighbors, and whether you live in a house on a street on the east side or in the inner city, you need to know your neighbors and look out for each other. And if you see anything suspicious, report it. I would rather go to a hundred false reports than one that is true," he said.
The funeral for Hser Nay Moo will be Monday afternoon in South Salt Lake.
Criminal charges against the suspect, who remains in jail, are expected to be filed by Monday.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
